New satellite operator ProtoStar has chosen Arianespace to launch DTH satellite ProtoStar I.
Arianespace CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall announced today during his annual January press conference that Arianespace will launch the ProtoStar I satellite for ProtoStar Ltd.
This is the 280th launch contract won by Arianespace since its inception in March 1980.
ProtoStar I will be placed into geostationary transfer orbit by an Ariane 5 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, during the first half of 2008.
Weighing in at 4100 kg, ProtoStar I is a Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) 1300 platform, built in Palo Alto, California and will be the 34th platform built by SS/L to be launched by Arianespace. The satellite will be equipped with 22 Ku-band 36 MHz equivalent and 38 C-band 36 MHz equivalent transponders, and will provide digital DTH services, HDTV and Broadband Internet to underserved areas in Asia.
“We are honored to be a part of this new venture. Protostar has exhibited remarkable vision with its plan for bringing DTH satellite coverage to Asia, and Arianespace stands-ready to launch this vision, literally and figuratively,” said Jean-Yves Le Gall, Arianespace CEO.
“ProtoStar sought a launch services provider that has a proven track record and we have found that in Arianespace. We are excited to partner with a company that has a great deal of experience in working with new ventures like ProtoStar,” said Philip Father, President and CEO of ProtoStar.
