Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. DisqusEutelsat Communications has selected Airbus Defence and Space and Orbital ATK to build a new satellite for the key 5° West orbital position serving mainly video markets in Europe and North Africa. Under the terms of the agreement Airbus Defence and Space will build the satellite’s payload while the platform will be manufactured by Orbital ATK.To be launched in 2018, EUTELSAT 5 West B will replace the EUTELSAT 5 West A satellite, a key digital infrastructure addressing predominantly French, Italian and Algerian broadcast markets. EUTELSAT 5 West B will provide business continuity and improved quality for these services via a Ku-band payload of 35 equivalent 36 MHz transponders connected to three service areas. Service continuity will be provided by similar C-band capacity available on other Eutelsat resources, thereby optimising capacity utilisation rate across the group’s fleet.

Source: The North Africa Journal October 11, 2016 08:48 UTC