Successful Launch For
Amos-3 Israeli Telecommunication Satellite With A Payload Provided By Thales
Alenia Space
(28 April 2008) The Amos-3
telecommunication satellite, equipped with a Thales Alenia Space payload, was
successfully launched today by a Zenith-3SLB rocket from the Baïkonur
cosmodrome.
The satellite has been built by Israel Aerospace
Industry (IAI) for the Israeli operator, Space-Communication Ltd
(Spacecom).
Amos-3 will replace the Amos-1 geostationary communications
satellite launched in 1996 allowing Spacecom to expand its Ku-band offering. It
will deliver high-quality communications and broadcasting transmission services
covering the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and parts of the
Americas.
Thales Alenia Space has provided to IAI the telecommunication
payload with Ku and Ka-band transponders (including a four-antenna system) as
well as a Telecommand and Ranging system. The payload has been assembled in
Thales Alenia Space plant in Toulouse with part of its equipments provided by
its site in Rome. It was the first program won by the newly created Alcatel
Alenia Space in 2005 and has involved an extensive co-operation between the
company's French and Italian teams.
Pascale Sourisse, President and CEO
of Thales Alenia Space stated: "As the payload provider of all the AMOS
satellites since 1992, Thales Alenia Space is once again very pleased with this
successful launch that confirms the commitment of our company to the Israeli
space industry. "
About Thales Alenia Space
European leader in
satellite systems and at the forefront of orbital infrastructures, Thales
Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%).
Together with Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space forms a Space Alliance between
the two groups. The company is a world-wide reference in telecoms, radar and
optical Earth observation, defence and security, navigation and science. With
7200 employees and 11 industrial sites, Thales Alenia Space is located in
France, Italy, Spain and Belgium.
(source: Thales Alenia
Space)
