Astrium, Europe’s leading space technology company, has been awarded a contract by US company DIRECTV Latin America to build the latest addition to its communications satellite fleet. The satellite will be based on Astrium’s highly reliable Eurostar E3000 platform and will be placed in orbit at the start of 2016.
The satellite will provide broadcasting services through up to 60 Ku-band transponders to Brazil, ensuring continuity of legacy services countrywide, while at the same time expanding into new services such as HDTV. To do so, it will be capable of providing overall coverage across Brazil, as well as regional television channels through 20 spot beams.
Eric Beranger, CEO of Astrium Satellites, said: “This order is great news – and proves that our flagship Eurostar E3000 platform with more than 480 years of operation in orbit, is not only one of the most reliable in the world, but still in demand and meeting the needs of our customers.”
“DIRECTV is looking forward to extending its strong relationship with Astrium for the development of its critical high power broadcast satellites,” said Phil Goswitz, senior vice president, Space and Communications for DIRECTV. “The new satellite will allow us to continue to take advantage of the tremendous opportunity for growth in Brazil.”
The satellite will be a Eurostar E3000 satellite with a launch mass of 6,300kg and electrical power exceeding 16kW. It is designed to have a nominal orbit lifetime of over 15 years.
About Astrium
Astrium is the number one company in Europe for space technologies and the second in the world. It is the only global company that covers the full range of civil and defence space systems, equipment and services.
In 2012, Astrium had a turnover over O5.8 billion and 18,000 employees worldwide.
Its three business units are: Astrium Space Transportation, the European prime contractor for launchers, orbital systems and space exploration; Astrium Satellites, a leading provider of satellite system solutions, including spacecraft, ground segments, payloads and equipments; Astrium Services, the Space services partner for critical missions, providing comprehensive fixed and mobile solutions covering secure and commercial satcoms and networks, and bespoke geo-information services, worldwide.
Astrium is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2012, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of O56.5 billion and employed a workforce of over 140,000.
