Milestones

Apr. 1993

Established Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT).

Jun. 1994

Contracted with U.S.-based Hughes (now Boeing) to build and launch BSAT-1.

Apr. 1997

Completed Kawaguchi and Kimitsu Satellite Control Centers.
Successfully launched BSAT-1a by Ariane rocket.

Jul. 1997

Took delivery of BSAT-1a from Hughes, and began operations on August 1.

Apr. 1998

Successful launched of backup satellite BSAT-1b by Ariane rocket.

Jul. 1998

Receive preliminary license for BS digital broadcasting services using BSAT-2 spacecraft. Took delivery of BSAT-1b from Hughes, and began operations on August 1.

Nov. 1998

Commissioned by NHK and WOWOW to conduct BS-3N control operations, and took over these operations.

Mar. 1999

Contracted with U.S.-based Orbital Science (now Orbital ATK) to build and launch BSAT-2.

Nov. 2000

Completed BS digital broadcast Uplink Center.

Dec. 2000

Began commercial BS digital broadcasting services using BSAT-1b that is temporary licensed due to the delay of BSAT-2a launch.

Mar. 2001

Successful launch of BSAT-2a by Ariane rocket.

Apr. 2001

Took delivery of BSAT-2a from Orbital Sciences, and succeed BS digital broadcasting services from BSAT-1b on April 26.

Jul. 2001

Launched backup satellite BSAT-2b by Ariane rocket but failed to place satellite in the proper orbit.

Oct. 2001

Contract with U.S.-based Orbital Sciences to build and launch BSAT-2c as replacement for BSAT-2b.

Jun. 2003

Successful launch of backup satellite BSAT-2c by Ariane rocket.

Jul. 2003

Took delivery of BSAT-2c from Orbital Sciences, and began operations on July 15.

Jun. 2004

Received preliminary license for BS broadcasting services using BSAT-3a (to replace BSAT-1a and BSAT-1b) spacecraft.

May. 2005

Contracted with U.S.-based Lockheed Martin to build and launch BSAT-3a.

Aug. 2007

Successful launch of BSAT-3a by Ariane rocket.

Sep. 2007

Took delivery of BSAT-3a from Lockheed Martin.

Nov. 2007

Began BS analogue broadcasting services (November 1), and BS digital broadcasting service (November 26), using BSAT-3a.
Received preliminary license for BS digital broadcasting services using BSAT-3b&BSAT-3c (successor to BSAT-2).

Apr. 2008

Contracted with Lockheed Martin to build and launch BSAT-3b.

Nov. 2008

Received preliminary license for broadcasting satellite service related to measures to use satellite for terrestrial digital broadcasting in poor reception areas.

Dec. 2008

Contracted with U.S.-based Lockheed Martin to build and launch BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R, jointly procured by B-SAT and SKY Perfect JSAT.

Jan. 2009

Began construction of uplink facilities used from 2011.

Feb. 2010

Began BS digital broadcasting services relating to measures for terrestrial digital broadcasting in poor reception areas.

Aug. 2010

BSAT-1a de-orbited.

Oct. 2010

Successful launch of BSAT-3b by Ariane rocket.

Dec. 2010

Took delivery of BSAT-3b from Lockheed Martin.

Jul. 2011

Finished BS analog broadcasting services.

Aug. 2011

Successful launch of BSAT-3c by Ariane rocket.
BSAT-1b de-orbited.

Sep. 2011

Took delivery of BSAT-3c from Lockheed Martin.

Oct. 2011

Began BS digital broadcasting services by new broadcasters using BS-5, 7, 11 and 19 channels.

Mar. 2012

Began BS digital broadcasting services by new broadcasters using BS-21 and 23 channels.

Jan. 2013

BSAT-2a de-orbited.

Aug. 2013

BSAT-2c de-orbited.

Mar. 2015

Finished BS digital broadcasting services relating to measures for terrestrial digital broadcasting.

Jun. 2015

Contracted with U.S-based Space Systems/Loral to build and launch BSAT-4a.
Began operation of third uplink station for emergency back up at Kimitsu.

Sep. 2015

Received preliminary license for the 4K/8K UHDTV BS test broadcasting using BS-17 channel.

Aug. 2016

Began 4K/8K UHDTV BS test broadcasting services by NHK using BS-17 channel.

Sep. 2016

Received preliminary license for the 4K/8K UHDTV BS broadcasting using BSAT-4a (to replace BSAT-3a and for the 4K/8K UHDTV BS broadcasting).

Dec. 2016

Began 4K/8K UHDTV BS test broadcasting services by A-PAB using BS-17 channel.

Sep. 2017

Successful launch of BSAT-4a by Ariane rocket.

Nov. 2017

Took delivery of BSAT-4a from Space Systems/Loral.

Feb. 2018

Began operation of BSAT-4a

Mar. 2018

Contracted with Space Systems/Loral to build and launch BSAT-4b.

Dec. 2018

Began 4K/8K UHDTV BS commercial broadcasting services using BSAT-4a.

Dec. 2019

Received radio station license for the 2K HDTV BS broadcasting using BSAT-4a.

Aug. 2020

Successful launch of BSAT-4b by Ariane rocket.

Sep. 2020

Took delivery of BSAT-4b from MAXAR.

Mar. 2022

Began BS digital broadcasting services by new broadcasters using BS-23 channel.