[SatBroadcasting(tm)] The BSAT-3b broadcasting satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) for the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) of Japan, is now operational, following successful on-orbit deployment and checkout of all spacecraft systems.

The spacecraft is located at orbital location 110 degrees East and is expected to provide more than 15 years of service for B-SAT. BSAT-3b features 12 130 W Ku-band channels, eight operating simultaneously, and is based on the A2100A platform manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), Newtown, Pa. The satellite broadcasts high-definition television to homes and businesses throughout Japan and links ground stations with 90 million HDTV terminals across the country. Lockheed Martin successfully built and launched BSAT-3a for B-SAT in August 2007 and is currently constructing BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R, which is scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2011.