PARIS — Artel Inc. will lease four Ku-band transponders on SES World Skies’ Astra 3B satellite scheduled for launch in early 2010 under a contract the two companies announced Sept. 10.
Reston, Va.-based Artel leases capacity for use by the U.S. government under the Defense Satellite Transmission Services — a global procurement program managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency.
Under the deal just announced, Artel will lease 144 megahertz of capacity on behalf of the U.S. Defense Department for voice, data and video applications. The satellite will be placed at 23.5 degree east and will carry a mixed Ku- and Ka-band payload. SES World Skies — the former SES New Skies — will also use the capacity to expand direct-to-home television services and two-way broadband access in Central Europe and Eastern Europe.
