Telenor Satellite Broadcasting has announced the successful launch of its new geo stationary satellite, Thor 5. The satellite was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12.34 (CET), on 11 February and the launch was declared a success after the satellite separated as planned from the Proton Breeze M launch vehicle at 21.56 (CET) the same day.
The Thor 5 satellite will now go through extensive in-orbit testing before it is brought into its final geo-stationary position at 1 degree West and commence operating commercial services. From the1 degree West position, Thor 5 will carry all broadcasting services which currently reside on Thor II and provide additional capacity to allow growth in the Nordic region and expansion into Central and Eastern Europe.
Thor 5 is the first new satellite to be launched in Telenor Satellite Broadcasting’s replacement and expansion program for satellites, which has a total investment frame of 2.5 billion Norwegian Kroner (close to US$470 million). With the completion of the program, Telenor will have doubled its satellite capacity at 1 degree West.
(Source: Telenor Satellite Broadcasting)
