[Satellite TODAY 12-16-10] Thales Alenia Space signed a contract with Empresa Argentina de Soluciones Satelitales (Arsat) to supply the payload for Arsat-2, the second Argentine geostationary telecom satellite of the country’s SSGAT program, Thales Alenia Space announced Dec. 15.
    Arsat-2 prime contractor Invap will integrate, assemble and test the payload at its facilities.
    Arsat-2 is slated to enter service in 2013 and will be positioned at 81 degrees West to provide data, telephone and television transmission services for South and North America from its 4 C-band and 16 Ku-band transponders.
    “We are delighted with this great opportunity to deepen the strategic relation with Arsat and to continue the close industrial cooperation with Argentina’s satellite manufacturer Invap initiated on Arsat-1. We are aware of the importance of the Arsat-2 program to increase the market share of Arsat and will strive to provide the best and safest technical and programmatic solutions,” Thales Alenia Space President and CEO Reynald Seznec said in a statement.
    Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.