Artist rendition of the SES 12. Photo: SES

[Via Satellite 07-17-2014] SES has ordered the company’s largest high throughput satellite (HTS), SES 12, to increase capacity available in the Asia Pacific region. Airbus Defence and Space is contracted to build the satellite with an electric plasma propulsion system. SES plans to locate the SES 12 at 95 degrees east co-located with the SES 8 satellite, effectively replacing NSS 6, which was launched in 2002.

The new hybrid satellite will carry 68 Ku-band and eight Ka-band transponders. The majority of the satellite will consist of 54 widebeam transponders for Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasting. The second half will be 70 Ku-band and 11 Ka-band spot beams for VSAT, mobility, government and enterprise applications. Additionally the satellite will carry a digital transparent processor for improved anti-jamming capability.

SES has not revealed the cost of the satellite, nor has a launch provider been announced, but the company expects to launch the satellite in 2017.