Alcatel Alenia Space will deliver the high-powered Ciel-2 telecommunication geosynchronous satellite to Ciel Satellite of Canada, the newest member of the SES Global family. The new spacecraft will be the largest Spacebus class satellite ever built by Alcatel Alenia Space.
On the 11th of March, Alcatel Alenia Space launched HOT BIRDâ„¢ 7A for Europe. Now, it is time for news from North America.
Based on Alcatel Alenia Space Spacebus 4000 C4, Ciel-2 will be fitted with 32 Ku-band frequencies, configured into regional and spot beams maximizing the frequency reuse up to nine times. At the beginning of its operational life, the spacecraft’s payload power will be 10.8 kW and will be positioned at 129°W. Ciel-2 is due to start delivering services into North America in the later part of 2008, with a life time of 16 years.
“This contract further strengthens the solid relationship between our company and the SES family of companies. This was a very competitive and rigorous procurement, so we are pleased to have earned this opportunity to build a satellite for Canada’s Ciel Satellite,” said Pascale Sourisse, President and CEO of Alcatel Alenia Space.
Ciel 2 is the 5th Spacebus satellite ordered by SES; four are currently operating in the AMERICOM fleet – AMC-5, AMC-9, AMC-12 and AMC-23.
SES is a network of satellite operators located across all continents. It operates through SES ASTRA in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and SES AMERICOM in the Americas. It also holds strategic participations in satellite operators AsiaSat, SES SIRIUS and StarOne, as well as in a number of satellite service provision companies.