The satellite is based on a Hughes' HS-376 design, and will provide voice, data, and corporate telecommunications from geostationary space. Two earlier Brazilsats were also lifted to orbit aboard Ariane 4 rockets. The Brazilsat B-1 was launched on Aug. 10, 1994 and the B2 launched March 28, 1995. Both were successful. The satellite arrived at the seaside launch site just four days before launch.

This mission kicks off a busy 1998 schedule with as many as 16 Hughes spacecraft to be launched for commercial and government customers from four sites around the world.

Brasilsat B-3 is an HS 376W spin-stabilized communications satellite, similar to the HSC-built Brasilsat B-1 and B-2 spacecraft now in orbit. EMBRATEL, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's leading telecommunications company, operates the satellites. Promon Engenharia SA of Sao Paulo, Brazil, shared in the ground station engineering work.

Like the other spacecraft, Brasilsat B-3 is a general communications satellite, carrying voice, data, corporate networks and television over 28 C-band transponders. The satellite is expected to operate for more than 12 years. It has one beam for national service and a second regional beam that focuses higher power on the major urban areas.

In a related development, Arianespace and CNES, the French Space Agency, announced the third Ariane 5 test flight would be delayed from May until late summer, due to technical preparations of the launcher. The launch is now likely in late July.

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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.