Eutelsat Communications and Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, have selected Arianespace to launch their Euteslat 25B1 / Es’hail 1 satellite in the second quarter of 2013 on board an Ariane 5 launcher. The announcement was made today at the Satellite 2012 show in Washington DC.
The contract signed with Arianespace to deliver Eutelsat 25B / Es’hail 1 into orbit marks a further step forward in Eutelsat and Es’hailSat’s joint programme to operate a high-performance satellite at 25.5° East, a longstanding orbital position serving expanding markets in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. The new satellite will provide superior coverage and power to follow on from the Eutelsat 25A2 satellite. In addition to securing Ku-band continuity for Eutelsat and Ku-band resources for Es’hailSat, it will initiate a Ka-band capability to open business opportunities for both parties. The satellite, weighing over six tonnes, is under construction by Space Systems/Loral.
(Source: Eutelsat)
