Based on Space Systems/Loral 1300 satellite bus, which provides the flexibility for a range of applications, the satellite is scheduled for delivery in 2011 and is designed to provide service for more than 15 years.
John Celli, president and COO of Space Systems/Loral, said: This is the third satellite that we will deliver to an SES company and we are pleased to be a manufacturer for SES.”
Designed to be located at 5 degrees East, Sirius 5 is configured with two Ku-band beams, one serving customers in the Nordic and Baltic countries and the other serving Sub-Saharan Africa. It has a total of 36 active Ku-band transponders available. The spacecraft also has two C-band beams, one with global coverage and one with hemispheric coverage, which can be operated with up to 24 active C-band transponders. The satellite design also includes a Ka-band uplink capability, allowing for flexible operations between Europe and Africa.
SES wholly owns three satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in North America, and SES NEW SKIES. The Company also holds 90% of SES Sirius in Europe as well as participations in Ciel in Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico. It provides satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 39 satellites in 26 orbital positions around the globe.
