Rendition of Brazil’s SGDC Satellite. Photo: Thales Alenia Space

[Via Satellite 12-12-13] Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with Visiona (a joint venture between Embraer and Telebras) for the Geostationary Defense and Strategic Communications Satellite (SGDC) program. This contract is key to space development plans by the Brazilian Space Agency, and to meeting the Ministry of Defense‘s strategic requirements. It satisfies two primary objectives for the country: the deployment of a secure satellite communications system for the Brazilian government and armed forces; and the deployment of the National Broadband Plan (PNBL), coordinated by the operator Telebras, to reduce the digital divide in the country.

Based on the Spacebus 4000 platform, the SGDC satellite will carry two payloads, one with 50 Ka-band transponders offering throughput of up to 80 Gbps, and the other with seven X-band transponders. The satellite will weigh about 5.8 metric tons at liftoff, and will offer more than 11 kW of power. Delivered on the ground in 31 months, it will be positioned in orbit at 75 degrees west.

The contract also includes a complete ground segment for satellite and mission control, along with orbital positioning, acceptance testing in orbit and operational support, preceded by a complete training program for Brazilian operators. Furthermore, on request from the customer, Brazilian engineers will join the project team and take an active role at Thales Alenia Space’s plants in Toulouse and Cannes.