[Satellite TODAY 03-19-10] Astrium has delivered the Astra 3B and Comsat Bw-2 satellites, along with an Ariane 5 rocket, to Arianespace launch facilities in Korou, French Guiana, Astrium announced March 18.

Astrium has been prime contractor for the Ariane 5 program since 2003 and prime contractor to the European Space Agency for the Ariane 5 ME (Midlife Evolution) program. The is the 50th Ariane 5 Astrium has produced.

Astrium built the Astra 3B and Comsat Bw-2 satellites for the German Armed Forces. Astra 3B is a Ku-/Ka-band satellite developed to provide DTH broadcast services and bi-directional broadband internet services throughout Europe and the Middle East. The satellite will be capable of operating up to 60 Ku-band and four Ka-band transponders.

      Comsat Bw-2, designed, manufactured, integrated, tested and delivered to Astrium by Thales Alenia Space, is the second satellite in the German military’s SatcomBw military communications program, for which Astrium is responsible for the space segment and in-orbit delivery. 

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