Arianespace is preparing for its first Ariane-5 launch of the year. The launch, scheduled for mid-February, sees Sky Brasil-1, a satellite for operation by DirecTV Latin America to expand the delivery of HD, 3D television and cinema programming throughout Brazil.

Sky Brasil-1 was built by Airbus Defence and Space based on the EuroStar 3000 platform, and will have a mass of approximately 6,300 kg. at launch. It is equipped with 81 transponders operating in Ku- and Ka-bands.

Indonesia’s Telkom-3S is the rocket’s second passenger. Thales Alenia Space built the satellite utilising its Spacebus 4000B2 platform, with a liftoff mass of about 3,500 kg.  Outfitted with 24 C-band transponders, eight extended C-band transponders and 10 Ku-band transponders, Telkom-3S will provide coverage over Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

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Categories: Articles, DTH/Satellite