The W7 satellite of Eutelsat Communications has been successfully lofted into orbit by a Proton Breeze M rocket supplied by ILS. Lift-off of Eutelsat’s 5.6 tonne communications satellite took place on Tuesday 24 November at 1419 UTC. After a 9-hour 12-minute flight, the launcher released W7 into geosynchronous transfer orbit at 23.31 UTC.
After an extensive round of in-orbit tests, the satellite will be commercially available at 36 degrees East in early January 2010. Colocated with W4, Eutelsat’s new satellite will double resources at the 36 degrees East location. Through a configuration of up to 70 transponders connected to five high-performance fixed and steerable beams, it will provide coverage of Russia and sub-Saharan Africa for digital broadcasting services including pay-TV, and boost resources for video and telecom markets in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. The satellite will also enhance service provided since 2000 by SESAT 1, which will be redeployed at an alternative location following W7’s entry into service at 36° East and transfer of traffic.
(Source: Eutelsat)
