ABS-2 Satellite Delivered to Launch Base in Kourou
Space
Systems/Loral
(SSL),
announced
that the
ABS-2
satellite,
designed and
built for
ABS, has
arrived at
the European
Spaceport in
Kourou,
French
Guiana,
where it
will be
launched
aboard an
Ariane 5
launch
vehicle by
Arianespace.
ABS-2 is a
highly
sophisticated
and flexible
satellite
optimized to
provide
multiple
services for
a broad
swath of
regions.
“ABS-2
is a very
advanced
satellite
that has the
capability
to improve
the human
experience
by providing
services for
60 percent
of the
world’s
population,”
said John
Celli,
president of
SSL. “We are
pleased that
the
satellite
has arrived
safely at
launch base
and look
forward to
seeing it
launch early
next year.”
ABS-2
is a
multi-mission
C, Ku- and
Ka-band
satellite,
which is
designed to
provide
multiple
services
including
direct-to-home
and cable
television
distribution,
VSAT
services,
data
networks,
and
telecommunications
services
across four
continents.
It will be
positioned
at 75
degrees East
longitude,
which is
ABS’ prime
orbital
location.
“SSL
has provided
us with one
of the
largest
satellites
ever to be
launched in
the Eastern
Hemisphere,”
said Tom
Choi, CEO of
ABS. “With
ABS-2, ABS
will extend
the reach of
affordable
and reliable
communications
and
broadcast
services to
the emerging
markets of
the world.
We are very
excited that
the
satellite
has been
delivered to
launch base
and eagerly
anticipate
its launch.”
ABS-2
is a high
power
satellite
with an
advanced
data
handling
architecture
and a total
of 89 active
C-band,
Ku-band and
Ka-band
transponders
across 10
different
beams. The
satellite
includes six
dedicated
high powered
Ku-Band
beams for
Direct-to-Home
television
services in
the Eastern
Hemisphere
and provides
high powered
C-Band beams
for Africa
and
Southeast
Asia
connectivity
requirements.
Its Ka-Band
beam is
positioned
over the
Middle East
and North
African
region where
it will
provide
service for
both
commercial
and military
applications.