[Satellite TODAY 12-31-09] Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has been contracted to build the Nimiq 6 satellite for Telesat, SS/L announced Dec. 30.
The Ku-band satellite will be based on SS/L’s 1300 spacecraft bus.
    Nimiq 6 is fully leased to Bell TV and will aim to provide Direct-to-Home HDTV and advanced video services in Canada from the 91 degrees West orbital slot.
    "In 2009, both Telstar 11N and Nimiq 5 were launched and successfully put into service. Following the success of working with Space Systems/Loral on these two programs, we were pleased that they were able to provide the best combination of technology, cost and schedule among several competing manufacturers for the Nimiq 6 contract," Telesat President and CEO Dan Goldberg said in a statement.
Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.