TOKYO — Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will launch multiple satellites for French satellite operator Eutelsat, securing a second commercial customer for its new H3 launch vehicle, giving a major boost to the Japanese company's campaign to become a serious player in the commercial launch business.
Mitsubishi Heavy has been responsible for the development and operation of Japan's main launch vehicles for decades, but services have been almost entirely outsourced to government agencies such as the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the International Space Station.