Arianespace to
Launch Thor 6 for Telenor Satellite Broadcasting
(20 June 2007) Jean-Yves Le Gall,
Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, and David Gilmore, Deputy CEO of Telenor
Satellite Broadcasting AS, announced the signature of the launch Service &
Solutions contract for the Thor 6 satellite.
Thor 6 will be
launched into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) in the middle of 2009, by an
Ariane 5 or Soyuz launcher from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in
Kourou, French Guiana.
This is Arianespace's first contract with Telenor
Satellite Broadcasting AS, a subsidiary of the Norwegian mobile operator,
Telenor.
Built by Thales Alenia Space, Thor 6 will weigh about 3,000 kg
at launch. It is based on the Spacebus 4000B2 platform and is fitted with 36
Ku-band transponders. Positioned at 1 degree West, it will provide
direct-to-home (DTH) television services for the Nordic countries and Central
Europe. It's design life is about 15 years.
"We have chosen Arianespace
for the launch of Thor 6 as they have demonstrated the right combination of
reliability, performance and value", said David Gilmore, Deputy CEO of Telenor
Satellite Broadcasting. "Thor 6 is our final satellite in our replacement
programme, providing Telenor Satellite Broadcasting with the essential
satellite capacity for organic growth and new expansion opportunities in
Central and Eastern Europe".
Commenting on this latest contract,
Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said: "We are very honoured to
have earned the trust of Telenor, as reflected in this first contract. Their
choice is clear recognition of the excellent launch Service & Solutions
offered by 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.
About Telenor Satellite Broadcasting
Telenor
Satellite Broadcasting provides extensive television broadcasting services for
distribution, contribution and occasional applications to all the Nordic
Broadcasters and many other broadcasters throughout Europe, using its hybrid
network comprised of satellites, terrestrial circuits, international teleports
and remote earth stations. Additionally, it provides fixed satellite
communication and up linking services for data and remote Internet applications
in Europe and the Middle East. Telenor Satellite Broadcasting is a company
owned by Norway's telecommunication provider Telenor.
(source:
Arianespace)