Tokyo--Toshiba Corporation today announced that it has entered into an agreement with US-based Space Systems/Loral, one of the world's leading commercial producers of satellites and spacecraft, under which Toshiba will manufacture and supply solar array panels for space satellites for a period of over three years.

As an initial project, Toshiba will first manufacture solar array panels for three 10kw-class digital audio broadcasting satellites destined for CD-Radio Inc. that are scheduled for launch in 2000. Deliveries will start in July 1998. Following this, Toshiba is qualified to supply solar array panels for large scale and high-power satellites Space Systems/Loral is scheduled to build in coming years.

Since Toshiba delivered its first solar array panel in 1982, the company has positioned itself as a leader in this area, one crucial to the functioning of satellites. Toshiba has already delivered solar array panels to Space Systems/Loral for several individual projects including the MABUHAY (AGILA2), and APSTAR-R satellites, both launched this year. All are operating successfully.

Toshiba has contributed to development of the satellite industry development both as a key equipment provider and system integrator. The company is now implementing an aggressive business program to expand its space-related business through an enhanced commitment to the commercial satellite market in cooperation with other leading international companies in the industry.

Toshiba plans to achieve annual sales of 10 billion yen in the commercial satellite business by 2000, including a target of over 2 billion yen in sales under this contract for the next three years.

Toshiba is now undertaking an investment of over one billion yen in reinforcing its facilities for design, manufacture and testing of space equipment and systems, and this includes installation of an additional new solar array panel manufacturing line at its Komukai Works located in Kanagawa, Japan. By further enhancing its business capability, the company expects to raise efficiency and cut costs, in readiness for increased orders from the highly competitive commercial satellite market.

Outline of Space Systems/Loral

President	Mr. Robert E. Berry
Address	3825 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, California,94303-4604, U.S.A.
Business	Commercial producer of communications and weather satellites and key spacecraft subsystems