Thales to build Eutelsat 8
October 11, 2012
Satellite broadcasting in the Middle East and North Africa will soon be gaining powerful new broadcasting resources following the order by Eutelsat Communications of a new satellite from Thales Alenia Space. Called Eutelsat 8 West B, the high-capacity spacecraft will be launched in 2015 to 8° West, joining satellites already operated at the adjacent 7° West position by Eutelsat and the Egyptian satellite company, Nilesat. Broadcasting services from both positions are received by satellite TV homes with a single small Direct-to-Home dish.
The Eutelsat 8 West B satellite will be equipped with 40 operational Ku-band transponders designed primarily to serve DTH markets in North Africa and the Middle East. It will also introduce a C-band mission to 8° West, with 10 operational transponders connected to footprints covering the African continent and reaching west to South America.