Arianespace Wins Skynet 5D, Intelsat 17 Launches

EADS Astrium has contracted Arianespace to launch the Skynet 5D on an Ariane 5 rocket in the first half of 2013

The satellite aims to provide secure X-band communications services to the British armed forces, NATO, other European countries, the United States and Australia. Arianespace previously launched the Skynet 4B, 4C, 4E and 4F satellites for the British Ministry of Defense and has been chosen by Astrium to launch the Skynet 5A, 5B and 5C satellites.

Separately, Intelsat selected Arianespace to launch the Intelsat 17 satellite at the end of 2010. Intelsat initially awarded the launch of Intelsat 17 to Sea Launch in January 2009 as part of a multiple launch services contract the two companies signed in November 2008. Sea Launch filed for bankruptcy in June.

Intelsat 17, built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), aims to expand Intelsat’s C-band video distribution community in the Indian Ocean region and provide capacity across Europe, the Middle East, Russia and Asia from 66 degrees East, where it will replace the Intelsat 702 satellite.
 

Astrium To Build SES-6 for SES World Skies

SES World Skies has commissioned Astrium to build the SES-6 satellite, which will be launched and deployed at 319.5 degrees East in early 2013.

SES-6 will be equipped with 43 C-band and 48 Ku-band transponders to help boost SES World Skies video services in Latin America. The 319.5 degrees East slot is home to one of the largest cable communities in Latin America, supporting video distribution including HD content to more than 5,000 cable head-ends serving some 18 million homes for broadcasters such as Fox, Disney, ESPN, and MGM.

The deal follows a 500 million euro ($635 million) multi-satellite order SES placed with Astrium in November. The satellites will provide replacement as well as incremental capacity for its SES Astra and SES World Skies divisions. The satellites, which are to be designated Astra 2E, Astra 2F, Astra 2G and Astra 5B, will allow the release of the existing satellites at two orbital positions (28.2 and 31.5 degrees East) and add new capacity as well as fleet deployment flexibility for the SES group. The launches are scheduled between 2012 and 2014.
 

Hughes Captures GSA State Broadband Contracts

Hughes Network Systems’ has won contracts from the state governments of Texas and Colorado to provide Spaceway 3 services supporting the states’ park systems.

Colorado State Parks, a division of the state’s Department of Natural Resources, contracted Hughes to provide Spaceway 3 satellite broadband service to operations at 15 state park sites. The one-year contract, awarded through the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Cooperative Purchasing Program, includes two option years.

Under the contract with Texas, state agencies, local governments, public school districts and public higher educational institutions may purchase Hughes satellite services to meet emergency preparedness and management priorities. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department placed the first order u for a back-up network to support 90 state park sites. The contract is for a year with three, one-year options.
 

Intelsat Sells IS-14 Cellular Backhaul Capacity in Brazil

Brazilian fixed telecommunications provider Intelig signed a multi-year capacity contract with Intelsat to secure capacity on the Intelsat 14 satellite (IS-14).

IS-14, located at 315 degrees East, aims to enable Intelig to deliver high demand mobile applications and other service offerings that support voice and data services to rural areas in Brazil.

In late 2009, TIM, a mobile operator in Brazil, acquired Intelig.
 

Orbital Sciences To Build Azerbaijan’s First Satellite

The Azerbaijan Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies signed a contract with Orbital Sciences Corp. to build Azerbaijan’s first national satellite.

Azerbaijan plans to launch the synchronous space telecommunications satellite between July and August 2012 and will use the satellite to start developing its space industry. Azerbaijan also signed a long-term lease agreement with Measat for use of a Malaysian orbital slot to support the new satellite.
 

SES World Skies Signs Vietnamese DTH Deal

SES World Skies signed a deal with An Vien Group (AVG) to provide transponder capacity on the NSS-6 satellite for a new DTH service in Vietnam.

AVG will utilize two-and-a-half transponders on NSS-6 to launch the service in the fourth quarter of 2010, with initial plans to offer up to 80 channels of television programming in Vietnam. AVG has an option for one more transponder, which it expects to exercise in mid-2011.
 

Spacecom Sells Amos Enterprise Capacity in Africa

South Africa-based telecom service provider Q-Kon has leased long term C- and Ku-band capacity on Spacecom’s Amos-5i and Amos-5 satellites.

Q-Kon will use the Amos platform for its specialist corporate network solutions to provide Africa to South Africa and Africa-to-Africa connectivity. Amos-5, positioned at 17 degrees East, will deliver pan-African signals as well as connectivity to Europe and the Middle East.