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Mitsubishi
Electric made waves last year with a dramatic announcement
in connection with the Connexion by Boeing project. That
project is for developing a service to support high-speed
communications for airliner crews and passengers through
satellite links. Mitsubishi Electric is Boeing's regional
partner for Japan and potentially for other Asian markets
in the project. It will develop phased array antennas, satellite
transponders, orbital slots, and other pertinent technologies.
The expanded tie-up between Mitsubishi Electric
and Boeing extends the companies' collaboration into new
phases of space-based communications, air traffic management,
multimedia and navigation services, launch services, and
space infrastructure.
Mitsubishi Electric has designated Boeing's
Delta rocket its first choice among non-Japanese launch
vehicles for putting its satellites into orbit. It has signed
on for future Delta launch services under the agreement
announced in June. Mitsubishi Electric is Japan's largest
manufacturer of satellites.
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Here is a schematic
look at some of the ways that the quality of life
on earth will benefit from Mitsubishi Electric's space
technologies. |
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Old
Friends
As Japan's largest aerospace
manufacturer, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has performed
extensive work on Boeing airliners, including the 777 and
767. The companies' relationship broadened with a May 2000
memorandum of understanding in regard to a bilateral alliance
in aerospace technologies. Their cooperation now includes
joint work on diverse space projects, including propulsion
systems and commercial applications for the space environment,
as well as aircraft development and manufacturing.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was preparing aggressively
to develop the main wing for Boeing's next-generation jumbo
commercial aircraft, the now-suspended 747X. Boeing's biggest
Japanese partner now is angling for a share of a nearly
supersonic airliner under consideration at Boeing.
Other cooperation between the two companies
includes joint work in developing service business. The
partners are studying ways to convert passenger airliners
into freighters and to manage spare parts inventories more
efficiently.
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Satellite systems
are a prime focus of the broadening cooperation between
Boeing and Mitsubishi Electric. |
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