Intelsat awarded in January 2018 a contract to build the Galaxy 30 Ku- and Ka-band communications satellite to Orbital ATK, now Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (NGIS). This satellite will be based on the flight-proven GEOStar-2 platform.

Galaxy 30 will carry a C-band payload for traditional broadcast applications, such as ultra-high definition distribution, and also Ku- and Ka-band payloads to support broadband applications. The GEOStar-2 design has the capabilities that will allow us to advance our network architecture while still providing incomparable economics for our customers.”

Intelsat General will design, develop and host the WAAS-GEO 7 payload and then integrate it into the Galaxy 30 satellite being built by Orbital ATK.

Northrop Grumman will introduce in-orbit satellite servicing with the Mission Extension Vehicle-1 which is based on the company’s GEOStar spacecraft bus platform. Controlled by the company’s satellite operations team, the MEV-1 uses a reliable, low-risk docking system that attaches to existing features on a customer’s satellite. The MEV-1 provides life-extending services by taking over the propulsion and attitude control functions. The vehicle has a 15-year design life with the ability to perform numerous dockings and undockings during its life span.

A second MEV was ordered for Intelsat in January 2018. MEV-2 is expected to be in service by mid-2020 on a five-year mission with Intelsat 10-02. MEV 2 will also be equipped to carry hosted payloads from commercial companies and small satellites that could be deployed for science missions.

BSat ba is a broadcasting satellite for Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT). The satellite will be used for Direct-to-Home (DTH) television service in Japan.

Space Systems/Loral (SSL) got the contract to build the BSat 4b satellite in June 2018.

BSAT-4b will have 24 Ku-band transponders and will expand the availability of advanced television services such as high definition and 4K/8K ultra-high definition television. BSAT-4a is based on the highly reliable SSL-1300 platform, which provides high power and flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The satellite is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.