[Satellite Today 02-13-09] SES has signed a contract for a new high-powered satellite to cover Mexico, North America and Central America, the company announced Feb 11.
    Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) will build QuetzSat-1 for SES. The satellite will also be used, in part, by Dish Mexico, an EchoStar joint venture, for DTH services in Mexico.
    Procured by SES Satellite Leasing in the Isle of Man, QuetzSat-1 is the fourth satellite project for the two companies. The high-powered Ku-band satellite is scheduled for launch in 2011 to provide service for 15 years or more at the 77 degrees West orbital slot. It is based on the SS/L 1300 satellite platform.
    It is further expected that EchoStar and its satellite services division will provide capacity on QuetzSat-1 to a subsidiary of Dish Network for use in connection with its U.S. DTH business. Rights to use this orbital position for direct broadcast services (DBS) were granted to QuetzSat in 2005 by the Mexican government.