Eutelsat 7C rendering. Photo: SSL

Eutelsat revealed that a crucial stage has been completed in the production of its EUTELSAT 7C high-power broadcast satellite, serving markets across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Turkey.

As part of the environmental testing completed in early February 2019, the all-electric EUTELSAT 7C, manufactured by Maxar Technologies, was subjected to conditions simulating the launch and harsh space environment in orbit. With the loading of the spacecraft tanks with Xenon propellant now finalized, the satellite is currently undergoing final preparation operations ahead of shipment to the Arianespace launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, where it is due to be launched as a co-passenger on an Ariane 5 rocket before the end of June.

Equipped with 49 36-Megahertz (MHz) equivalent Ku-band transponders, EUTELSAT 7C will serve markets across Africa, Europe, Middle East and Turkey. It will be co-positioned with EUTELSAT 7B at 7 degrees East, increasing capacity at this neighborhood by 19 transponders for the African market. EUTELSAT 7A will be transferred to another orbital location.