[Satellite Today 06-19-09] Hispasat won a contract from Thales Alenia Space España to develop and supply the RedSat advanced communication payload for the AG1, a geostationary satellite mission within the scope of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Artes 11 program, Thales Alenia Space announced June 18.

The ESA Artes 11 program is aimed at the development of a general-purpose small geostationary satellite platform. 

The RedSat payload features a broadband DVB multimedia system and an advanced antenna system, which aims to allow the AG1 mission to meet its performance specifications for both the transparent and regenerative repeaters in Ku-band, Thales Alenia Space said.

EADS CASA Espacio will develop and produce the reflector and antennas for the payload. 

Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.