Star One C2 Satellite is Ready for Launch

(Cannes, April 16, 2008) -- Star One C2, the second of the "C-series" telecommunication satellites, designed and built by Thales Alenia Space, is now ready for launch at the Kourou launch site, in French Guiana.

To be launched by an Ariane 5 ECA rocket on April 18th, Star One C2 is dedicated to the Brazilian satellite operator Star One, owned by Embratel (80%) and GE International Holdings (20%). This launch will reinforce Star One's strategic position as the major regional operator in Latin America.

Thales Alenia Space has already manufactured Star One C1, the first of the "C-series", which was successfully launched in November 2007 and started to expand the operator's scope of services. The new satellite Star One C2 features a cutting-edge commercial payload that will provide TV, Internet and voice services for South America, Mexico and Florida, through its hybrid C- and Ku-band payload, as well as an X-band payload for military exclusive use.

Based on Thales Alenia Space Spacebus 3000B3 platform, Star One C2 carries 28 transponders in C-band, 16 in Ku-band and 1 in X-band. This satellite weights 4100 kg at launch and has an electrical power of 10.5 kW (beginning of life) and will be positioned at 70o West.

Gustavo Silbert, President of Star One says: "Star One C2 will be placed at the most important broadcasting position of the Brazilian market, 70o W, and will be providing the largest share of the video traffic in Brazil".

Pascale Sourisse, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space notes: "We are proud to deliver this second new-generation satellite to Star One, which will offer enhanced performance and opportunities to Star One and its customers. This is a major event for us at Thales Alenia Space, since it further bolsters our presence in the key South American market for commercial and military satellite communications".

Source : Thales Alenia Space

Recent News from Thales Alenia Space

• Thales Alenia Space Building a New Satellite Constellation [Space] [ Wed 10 Sep 2008 ]
• Globalstar Begins Production and Testing of New 2nd-Generation Satellites [Space] [ Thu 28 Aug 2008 ]
• Thales Alenia Space and Inmarsat Sign ATP for S-Band Satellite [Space] [ Mon 25 Aug 2008 ]
• AMC-21 Telecommunication Satellite Successfully Launched [Space] [ Mon 18 Aug 2008 ]
• Successful Signal for BADR 6 Satellite With Thales Alenia Space Payload [Space] [ Mon 21 Jul 2008 ]
• Thales Alenia Space to Deliver Imaging Instrument for Pleiades Program [Space] [ Thu 10 Jul 2008 ]
• Thales Alenia Space to Cooperate With IAI in the Amos-4 Satellite [Space] [ Mon 7 Jul 2008 ]