[Satellite TODAY 10-14-10] Paradigm Services, part of Astrium Services’ Telecoms Division, has entered into a 15-year contract with Telesat to lease the full X-band payload of three transponders on Telesat’s upcoming Anik G1 satellite, Telesat announced Oct. 13.
    The 15-year term of the lease represents the satellite’s entire life in orbit.
    Anik G1 is a multipurpose satellite that will operate in a geostationary orbit at 107.3 West following its launch in the second half of 2012. Paradigm will use the satellite’s X-band commercial military satellite communications capacity to provide services to the Canadian Department of National Defense and its NATO allies.
    Anik G1 will provide Paradigm with X-band communications over Canada, the Americas and part of the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii.
    In a statement, Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg said that demand for X-band services is growing as governments continue to increase their use of commercial satellites. “Our decision to incorporate a unique X-band payload on Anik G1, and Paradigm’s decision to lease the full payload for the satellite’s lifetime, represent the type of innovative thinking about new market opportunities that has driven the success of both companies.”
    Financial details of the lease agreement were not disclosed.