In June 1996, Hughes Space and Communications International, Inc. (HSCI), signed a contract with Japan Satellite Systems, Inc., (JSAT) of Tokyo, to build a fifth communications satellite. In December 1996, JSAT contracted for a sixth satellite. The new satellites, JCSAT-5 and JCSAT-6, are Hughes 601 body-stabilized model spacecraft. JCSAT-5 was successfully launched on December 2 1997 on an Ariane rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. JCSAT-6 was launched February 15, 1999 from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on an Atlas IIAS rocket. These new satellites will allow JSAT to meet increased customer demand for multimedia and Internet access and will carry voice, data and television signals to Japan.