Mitsubishi has announced the successful injection of the ST-2 communications satellite into geostationary orbit.

The satellite, built for a joint venture between Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) and Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom Company Limited (Chunghwa Telecom), was launched from Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana at 17:38 on May 20 (local time) using an Ariane5 launch vehicle.

After launch, the mission control center at Mitsubishi Electric's Kamakura Works located in Kamakura, Japan guided the ST-2 through a series of procedures to deploy its solar arrays and antennas and to inject the satellite into geostationary orbit.

Once all satellite functions are confirmed to be operational through in-orbit testing and after the satellite is stabilized at its orbital position of 88 degrees east longitude, SingTel and Chunghwa Telecom will begin delivering telecommunication services in the Middle East, Central Asia, India and Southeast Asia.

Mitsubishi Electric will provide support for ST-2's operations throughout its minimum lifetime of 15 years.

"With the successful launch of the ST-2, we are extremely proud that there are now six satellites in orbit using our DS2000 standard satellite platform," said Hiroyuki Inahata, General Manager of Space Systems Division, Mitsubishi Electric.

"Using the DS2000 reduces cost while maintaining reliability, and we believe this platform will help us further expand our commercial satellite business both inside and outside Japan." Mitsubishi Electric is a leading manufacturer contributing to space research and development in Japan, mainly in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace eXploration Agency (JAXA).

The company has participated in the development of more than 440 domestic and international satellites as prime contractor or major subcontractor.

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