Arianespace to launch THOR 6 for Telenor Satellite Broadcasting
Telenor Satellite Broadcasting AS chooses Arianespace launch service.
Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, and David Gilmore, Deputy CEO of Telenor Satellite Broadcasting AS, announced the signature of the launch Service & Solutions contract for the THOR 6 satellite.
THOR 6 will be launched into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) in the middle of 2009, by an Ariane 5 or Soyuz launcher from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
This is Arianespace’s first contract with Telenor Satellite Broadcasting AS, a subsidiary of the Norwegian mobile operator, Telenor.
Built by Thales Alenia Space, THOR 6 will weigh about 3,000 kg at launch. It is based on the Spacebus 4000B2 platform and is fitted with 36 Ku-band transponders. Positioned at 1 degree West, it will provide direct-to-home (DTH) television services for the Nordic countries and Central Europe. It’s design life is about 15 years.
“We have chosen Arianespace for the launch of THOR 6 as they have demonstrated the right combination of reliability, performance and value”, said David Gilmore, Deputy CEO of Telenor Satellite Broadcasting. “THOR 6 is our final satellite in our replacement programme, providing Telenor Satellite Broadcasting with the essential satellite capacity for organic growth and new expansion opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe”.
Commenting on this latest contract, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said: “We are very honoured to have earned the trust of Telenor, as reflected in this first contract. Their choice is clear recognition of the excellent launch Service & Solutions offered by Arianespace.”
About Arianespace Arianespace is the world’s leading launch Service & Solutions company, delivering innovative services and solutions to its customers for more than 25 years. Backed by 23 shareholders, including the European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an unrivalled launcher family, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned for their culture of excellence. Arianespace has launched 246 satellites since being founded, including more than 60% of the commercial satellites now in service worldwide. It has a steady backlog of about 40 satellites to be launched, equal to more than three years of operations. www.arianespace.com
About Telenor Satellite Broadcasting Telenor Satellite Broadcasting provides extensive television broadcasting services for distribution, contribution and occasional applications to all the Nordic Broadcasters and many other broadcasters throughout Europe, using its hybrid network comprised of satellites, terrestrial circuits, international teleports and remote earth stations. Additionally, it provides fixed satellite communication and up linking services for data and remote Internet applications in Europe and the Middle East. Telenor Satellite Broadcasting is a company owned by Norway’s telecommunication provider Telenor.
For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.telenor.com and www.telenorsbc.com
