Arianespace to launch a sixth Indonesian satellite, Telkom-3S

September 9, 2014

Indonesian operator PT Telkom has chosen Arianespace to launch its Telkom-3S satellite, as part of a turnkey contract with Thales Alenia Space.

Weighing about 3,500 kg at launch, Telkom-3S will be boosted into geostationary transfer orbit by an Ariane 5 ECA rocket. The launch is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2016 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Telkom-3S will expand the operator's C-band capacity from its orbital position at 118° East, while also offering high-definition television (HDTV) and remote Ku-band GSM/Internet services.

Built on Thales Alenia Space's new-generation Spacebus 4000B2 platform, Telkom-3S will be fitted with 24 C-band transponders, 8 extended C-band transponders and 10 Ku-band transponders. The C-band payload will cover Indonesia and southeast Asia, while the extended C-band payload encompasses both Indonesia and Malaysia, and the Ku-band payload will focus exclusively on Indonesia.

Commenting on this selection, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Stéphane Israël said: "I would especially like to thank the Indonesian operator PT Telkom for entrusting us with the launch of their Telkom-3S satellite. Arianespace is very proud of once again being chosen by an Indonesian operator. This sixth contract with an Indonesian customer reflects the exceptional partnership between this leading country and Arianespace in the space industry."