[Satellite Today 02-19-09] Eutelsat’s How Bird 9 satellite has entered into commercial service, the company announced Feb. 17.
    The 64 Ku-band transponder satellite was built by EADS Astrium and launched in December by Arianespace. Hot Bird 9 will be co-positioned with Hot Bird 6 and Hot Bird 8 satellites at 13 degrees East.
    Hot Bird 7A will be redeployed to 9 degrees East and be rebranded Eurobird 9A, where it will assume all broadcasts carried by the 20 transponders on Eurobird 9 and introduce 18 additional transponders at the 9 degrees East neighborhood, which has seen the number of channels more than double in one year to almost 150.
    Eurobird 9 will continue its life in orbit at another location.