[Satellite Today – 4-11-08] The Thor 5 satellite has begun commercial operations, owner Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSB) said April 11. The satellite, which is deployed at 1Ëš West, has successfully come through all the necessary in-orbit testing. The satellite was launched in mid February from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
    The satellite will deliver direct-to-home broadcasting services, which currently reside on Thor 2, as well as provide organic growth capacity in the Nordic region and expansion into Central and Eastern Europe. The new satellite is equipped with 24 transponders with three times more payload power, compared to the Thor 2 satellite.