Arianespace is preparing for the 100^th launch of its giant Ariane 5 rocket, with a double payload. Currently the launch is scheduled for September 7^th,, subject to weather, when the rocket will carry two satellites into orbit.

The larger craft will be for a joint-mission on behalf of Intelsat and Japan’s SkyPerfect JSAT. The Intelsat portion of the satellite is dubbed Horizons 3e, and makes the fourth joint-venture satellite for Intelsat and JSAT.

Intelsat’s Horizon 3e, one of their latest ‘Epic’ fleet, will operate over the Pacific Ocean region at 169 degrees East, and the Japanese portion of the craft will focus on its DTH services over Japan.

Intelsat adds that Horizons 3e is the first Intelsat EpicNG satellite to feature entire Ku-band spot beams utilising multiport amplifiers that optimize power across the satellite. This enhanced, advanced digital payload features the highest throughput of the entire Intelsat EpicNG fleet with full beam interconnectivity in two commercial bands and significant upgrades on power, efficiency and coverage flexibility. With the multiport amplifier, power can be adjusted to each beam to meet customer throughput demands.

Also on board the rocket is another joint-venture satellite for Intelsat, but this time with Azerspace. Intelsat 38/Azerspace 2 is targeted to orbit at 45 degrees East, and provide footprints over Europe, Central Asia, and the MENA regions.

Categories: Articles, DTH/Satellite