DULLES, Va., 12 Oct. 2016. Officials at Orbital ATK Inc. (NYSE:OA), a provider of aerospace and defense technologies in Dulles, Virginia, are announcing two achievements: its first contract with Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris:ETL) and the first time partnering with Airbus Defence and Space on satellite work – to build the EUTELSAT 5 West B satellite.
EUTELSAT 5 West B will be based on Orbital ATK’s GEOStar satellite platform while Airbus Defence and Space will provide the communications payload of 35 active Ku-band channels – tapping the two companies’ heritage in the satellite industry.
The spacecraft will be designed, built, and tested at Orbital ATK’s satellite manufacturing facility in Dulles, Virginia.
EUTELSAT 5 West B will have an operational lifetime of more than 15 years as a broadcast satellite, replacing the current satellite at Eutelsat’s 5 degrees West longitude orbit slot. Once EUTELSAT 5 West B is positioned in geostationary orbit, it will serve mainly video markets in Europe and North Africa.
“Eutelsat is a global leader in satellite operations and we are proud to provide them with a spacecraft built on our innovative, reliable and affordable GEOStar product line,” says Amer Khouri, vice president of the commercial satellite business at Orbital ATK. “With Airbus Defence and Space providing the payload and Orbital ATK using our flight-proven bus design, we are confident the team will deliver a high-quality broadcast satellite.”
EUTELSAT 5 West B is scheduled for launch in 2018 aboard an International Launch Services (ILS) Proton vehicle from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Russia. It will be the 41st commercial satellite ordered and built by Orbital ATK.
Orbital ATK’s Space Systems Group (SSG) is an industry leader in satellite technology and advanced rated space systems providing a broad portfolio of products and services for commercial, military, civil government and international customers. The Group designs, manufactures and operates small to medium-class satellites for communication, imaging, science, human exploration and military operations. SSG also specializes in market-leading integrated thermal control systems, space components that power and enable satellites of all classes, satellite servicing technology and premier technical engineering services to government agencies and laboratories. Orbital ATK is currently producing additional commercial satellites for Yahsat Satellite Communications, Avanti Communications and SES S.A. that will be delivered and launched over the next year.
Orbital ATK designs, builds, and delivers space, defense, and aviation systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs approximately 12,000 people in 18 states across the U.S. and in several international locations.
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