NEC Corporation is reportedly building a new facility for the assembly, evaluation and testing of satellites at its existing plant in Fuchu City, outside of Tokyo. In addition to the Fuchu plant’s existing operations, the new facility will enable NEC to assemble as many as eight satellites at any one time.
The new facility will accommodate the construction of large scale satellites within a 4-story, steel frame structure featuring a total floor area of 9,900 square meters, including a large chamber space and a large work room space with a maximum interior height of 26 meters. The facility is also being built to withstand intense earthquakes that are in the 7 range of magnitude.
Approximately 9.6 billion yen is being invested in the new facility, including the building and its equipment. This investment is partially subsidized by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s Innovation Center Establishment Assistance Program (*). NEC is investing approximately 7.6 billion yen.
Construction of the new facility is scheduled to begin in March 2013. Operations are expected to begin in June 2014.
