Amazonas 4A readies for World Cup
October 15, 2013
By Chris Forrester
Hispasat’s Amazonas 4A satellite, built in a near-record 18 months, will launch this December and earlier than first anticipated. The launch will be on an Arianespace rocket and the satellite will be orbited at 61 degrees West. The satellite will provide much-needed extra capacity over the Americas and help provide bandwidth for next year’s FIFA World Cup from Brazil.
Hispasat CEO Carlos Espinos said the football World Cup in Brazil next summer and the 2016 Olympic Games have been two of the triggering events for this mission, Espinos said. Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico and Chile are the countries where Hispasat has the greatest presence, although it aims to expand its business deeper into North America as well, Espinos added.
Amazonas 4A was ordered in June 2012 from Orbital Sciences of Dulles, Virgina and is one of a pair. The other, Amazonas 4B will be ready for launch in 2015.