[Satellite TODAY 06-10-10]  Eutelsat Communications has commissioned Thales Alenia Space to build the W6A satellite, the operator announced June 9.
    The satellite is scheduled for launch in the third quarter of 2012 and will replace Eutelsat’s W6 satellite at 21.5 degrees East, which is anchored for data, professional video and government services across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. W6A will be equipped with 40 Ku-band transponders to provide Eutelsat with a 50 percent increase in capacity in this area.
    The new satellite falls under Eutelsat’s capital expenditure program of 450 million euros ($537.6 million) on average per year from June 2009 to June 2012.
    “The combination of power, coverage and flexibility we provide at 21.5 degrees East has enabled Eutelsat to steadily attract ongoing business at this location over 10 years. We have designed our new satellite to further unlock the potential of this sweet spot for data, professional video and government services and are delighted to entrust its construction to Thales Alenia Space, a longstanding industrial partner for Eutelsat,” Eutelsat’s CEO Michel de Rosen said in a statement.
    Thales Alenia Space has had a lucrative few weeks, winning a fixed price contract worth about $2.9 billion for the design and construction of the Iridium Next constellation and a contract to design and build the high-capacity Apstar 7B satellite for APT Satellite.

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