Arianespace to
Launch an Arabsat 5 Satellite
(19 June 2007) Arabsat chooses
Arianespace to launch one of its fifth-generation
satellites.
The satellite will be launched into geostationary
transfer orbit by an Ariane 5 ECA from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French
Guiana. Launch is slated at earliest in 2009.
This is the 11th Service
& Solutions launch contract signed by Arianespace with a customer from the
Middle East.
The Arabsat 5th G satellites will be built by EADS Astrium
and Thales Alenia Space, as part of a turnkey contract with satcom operator
Arabsat, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Astrium will provide the Eurostar E3000
platforms and will take charge of satellite integration, while Thales Alenia
Space will supply the payloads.
The fifth-generation Arabsat satellites
will provide a comprehensive, and innovative, range of communications services
and also broadcast television channels throughout the Middle East and North
Africa, as well as for the first time in this region, full in-orbit "hot"
back-up for Arabsat's constellation of direct-to-home satellites at 26°E.
Their design life exceeds 15 years.
"Our company is very proud and
honoured to once again serve Arabsat," said Arianespace Chairman and CEO
Jean-Yves Le Gall. "We have worked closely with this well-known operator since
the launch of Arabsat-1A in 1985, signing a total of seven satellite launch
contracts including this latest one. I would like to personally thank Arabsat
for once again placing their trust in Arianespace."
About
Arianespace
Arianespace is the world's leading launch Service &
Solutions company, delivering innovative services and solutions to its
customers for more than 25 years. Backed by 23 shareholders, including the
European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an unrivalled launcher family,
comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned
for their culture of excellence. Arianespace has launched 246 satellites since
being founded, including more than 60% of the commercial satellites now in
service world-wide. It has a steady backlog of about 40 satellites to be
launched, equal to more than three years of operations.
(source:
Arianespace)