All three satellites are from existing customers who have once again demonstrated their confidence in Arianespace: the Indian Space Research Organisation with Insat 3A, PanAmSat Corp. with a new satellite, and Space Systems/Loral (USA) with Telstar 7.

ISRO's Insat 3A satellite will be launched from Europe's Spaceport at Kourou, French Guiana in the middle of next year, using either an Ariane 4 or Ariane 5.

Insat 3A is the eighth satellite for which India has chosen the European launch vehicle. Following the experimental satellite Apple in 1981, Arianespace launched Insat 1C in July 1988, Insat 2A in July 1992, Insat 2B in July 1993, Insat 2C in December 1995, Insat 2D in June 1997 and Insat 2E in April 1999. A seventh satellite, Insat 3B, is scheduled for launch at the end of the year.

"This latest contract from ISRO reflects the continuing trust placed in the European launcher by India's prestigious space agency," said Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Marie Luton. "It marks yet another step forward in the long-standing relationship between India and Europe, and the very productive partnership of ISRO and Arianespace. Other areas of collaboration are now under development to support India's far-sighted space policy."

Offering a complete range of telecommunications and meteorological services, Insat 3A is designed and built by ISRO in Bangalore (southern India) for the Indian government.

It will be equipped with 12 C-band transponders for fixed telecommunications services and 6 Extended C band transponders, plus a very high resolution radiometer and CCD (charge-coupled device) camera for meteorological services.

Weight at liftoff is about 2,700 kg (5,940 lb). Positioned at 83� East over the Indian Ocean, Insat 3A will primarily provide services for India.

Meanwhile, PanAmSat continues to turn to AraineSpace for its launch needs with the placement of the 17th launch contract via an exercised option for PanAmSat to use an Ariane 4 or Ariane 5 for launch of an additional satellite next year.

Arianespace also will be lofting three more satellites for PanAmSat in the near future: PAS 1R, Galaxy 11 and Galaxy 10R.

"Our 17th launch contract from PanAmSat is the best possible proof of the exceptional relationship of mutual confidence enjoyed by our two companies," Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Marie Luton said.

"With thirteen satellites already launched, and four more on our order books to be launched by the end of next year, Arianespace has played a major role in the growth of the world's leading private operator - a role of which we are very proud indeed."

This last satellite will use an HS-601 HP platform built by Hughes Space & Communications in El Segundo, California. Weighing 3,600 kg (7,920 lb.) at lift-off it will carry 48 Ku-band transponders.

Based in Greenwich, Connecticut, PanAmSat is the world's leading private satellite telecommunications services company. It operates a global network of 18 satellites, serving five continents.

The third contract announcement is with Space Systems/Loral which will use Arianespace to launch its Telstar 7 digital TV sat on behalf of Loral Skynet.

The Telstar 7 mission is scheduled for the third quarter of 1999 on an Ariane 4 to be launched from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

The agreement involves SS/Loral's conversion of an earlier Globalstar constellation launch contract to the geostationary transfer orbit mission for Telstar 7.

"This is another excellent example of the flexibility, availability and reliability Arianespace offers its customers, " Jean-Marie Luton, Arianespace Chairman and CEO, said. "It demonstrates our responsiveness to our customers in addressing the changes inherent in the space transportation business."

Telstar 7, built by Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California, is an FS 1300 spacecraft, weighing 3,753 kg. at liftoff. It will be equipped with 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, providing a full range of digital cable distribution services.

"Our Telstar 7 satellite is very important to the North American marketing strategy of Loral Skynet," added Bob Berry, President of Space Systems/Loral. "We are pleased that Arianespace once again is able to accommodate our launch requirements."

The spacecraft will operate from an orbital position of 129� West Longitude, providing coverage over the continental U.S. and Canada, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and Latin America.

With the Insat 3A, PanAmSat and Telstar 7 contracts/agreements, Arianespace has logged a total of 202 satellite launch orders since the company's creation in March 1980.

The company's backlog now stands at 43 satellites to be launched, worth a total of 3.1 billion Euros (or 3.5 billion US$).

Launcher - SpaceDaily Special Report

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Space

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News

SPACEDAILY

Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005
The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India.