THOR 6 satellite ordered

[BGonaSTICK]

Telenor has announced that it has signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space for the construction and delivery of a new geosynchronous (GEO) communications satellite. The new satellite, to be called THOR 6, will provide high power direct-to-home (DTH) television services from the 1° West orbital position.

THOR 6 will be based on Thales Alenia Space Spacebus 4000B2 platform and fitted with 36 active Ku-band transponders. 16 transponders will point to the Nordic countries, and 20 transponders will be positioned to serve the growing broadcasting demands within Central and Eastern Europe. With the launch of THOR 6, the 1° West will have a total of 71 transponders providing capacity to facilitate both organic growth and expansion for Telenor.

Commenting on the contract Mr Cato Halsaa, Managing director of Telenor Satellite Broadcasting said: "Telenor is very pleased to be working with Thales Alenia Space to provide the replacement of THOR III. Telenor has developed 1° West into a prime broadcasting position for the Nordic region and aims to make it the leading platform choice within Central and Eastern Europe. With the launch of THOR 5 and THOR 6, I am confident that Telenor has an excellent satellite fleet, and the necessary high power capacity to support further growth."

THOR 6 is the final satellite in Telenor Satellite Broadcasting's replacement programme for THOR II and THOR III. THOR 6 will replace THOR III, which is set to retire in 2010. The order calls for a 26 month in-orbit delivery schedule, and is expected to start services in summer 2009 with an operational lifetime of 15 years. The expected investment for THOR-6 is NOK 1.3bn including the spacecraft, launch services and insurance.

Thales Alenia Space will be responsible for the design, construction and test activities for THOR 6. Pascale Sourisse, President and CEO, Thales Alenia Space comments: "We are extremely gratified that an important operator such as Telenor Satellite Broadcasting AS has turned to Thales Alenia Space to provide a new powerful satellite. This contract heralds a new phase of cooperation with Telenor Satellite Broadcasting AS and is an additional recognition of the reliability of our Spacebus 4000 family". She added: "This contract also marks new Thales Alenia Space's first satellite ordered."