Kratos ISI has won a contract from SKY Perfect JSAT (SJC) to design, supply, deliver, install and test a TT&C antenna and related RF system for the JCSAT-16 satellite.

The critical design review of the project has already been performed, with completion scheduled later this year.

Scheduled to be launched in the first half of this year by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), the JCSAT-16 communications satellite will work as an in-orbit back-up satellite to SJC’s existing fleet of 15 satellites and provide satellite services to the Japanese market.

"This is our first opportunity to provide SJC with a TT&C antenna/RF system."

The recent TT&C contract comprises a 9m Ku-Band antenna, fully redundant RF equipment and Kratos’ compass monitoring and control software. The TT&C system will be mounted at SJC’s Superbird Platform West (SPW) ground station situated in Yamaguchi, Japan.

With the health and status information of the RF equipment to be provided by Kratos’ Compass monitoring and control software, the resiliency of the TT&C system can be improved by promptly identifying and resolving equipment issues.

As part of a different agreement, Kratos ISI will also provide its integrated product suite (EPOCH IPSTM) for the JCSAT-16 satellite control system, which includes the company’s EPOCH command and control and OASYS flight dynamics solutions.

Kratos ISI senior vice-president James Kramer said: "We have provided EPOCH IPS command and control systems to SJC for more than ten years, but this is our first opportunity to provide SJC with a TT&C antenna/RF system."