ITV

Tag: Ku band

  • Eleven communication satellites operational; six more under development: Govt

    Eleven communication satellites operational; six more under development: Govt

    NEW DELHI: Eleven Indian satellites including four for communications were successfully launched during the last three years between January 2012 and February 2015, apart from the launch of 13 foreign satellites.

     

    Out of these, the expenditure incurred on launching the Indian satellites being used for communications in the last three years was pegged at Rs 1656.11 crore. The breakup is as follows: GSAT-14: Rs 173 crore, GSAT-10: Rs 406.82 crore, GSAT-7: Rs 495.29 crore and GSAT-16: Rs 581 crore.

     

    There are a total of eleven communication satellites out of the 27 satellites that are operational in the country currently.

     

    These are: INSAT-3A, INSAT-3C, INSAT-4A, INSAT-4B, INSAT-4CR, GSAT-7, GSAT-8, GSAT-10, GSAT-12, GSAT-14 and GSAT-16.

     

    A total of six communication satellites namely GSAT-15, GSAT-9, GSAT-6, GSAT-6A, GSAT-7A and GSAT-11, are being developed indigenously as part of the XII Five Year Plan (2012-17).

     

    A total of 95 Ku-band (a part of K band) transponders onboard indigenous communication satellites are being utilised for various communication applications.

     

    Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office Jitendra Singh told Parliament that the government is also working on resolving the connectivity issues in the hilly areas.

  • GSAT-15 and GSAT-16 satellites to be launched by mid 2015

    GSAT-15 and GSAT-16 satellites to be launched by mid 2015

    NEW DELHI: Two GSAT missions are expected to be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) by mid 2015. GSAT-15 will be launched in FY 2014-15 while GSAT-16 will be launched by mid 2015, the c was informed by Minister of State for Department of Space Jitendra Singh.

     

    The launches are expected to augment the communication facilities including the Ku-band and Upper Extended C-band.

     

    The government has approved a budgetary support of Rs 859.5 crore including a foreign exchange component of Rs 622.5 crore for realisation of GSAT-15 spacecraft project including launch services and insurance. It has also approved a budgetary support of Rs 865.5 crore including a foreign exchange component of Rs 628 crores for realisation of GSAT-16 spacecraft project including launch services and insurance.

     

    GSAT-15, which had been approved by the government on 17 July last year, will carry 24 Ku-band transponders and provide replacement for the Ku-band capacity of INSAT-3A and INSAT-4B spacecrafts to augment and support the existing DTH and VSAT services in the country. It will also carry a GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) payload to meet the in-orbit redundancy requirement for safety of life (SOL) operations benefiting the civil aviation services in the country.

     

    GSAT-16, also approved on 17 July last year, will carry 48 transponders in C-band, Ku-band and Upper Extended C-bands and provide replacement for the INSAT-3E spacecraft and augment the C and Upper Extended C-band capacity. The spacecraft will be utilised in augmenting and supporting the existing telecommunication, television, VSAT and other satellite based services in the country.

  • MEASAT-3b launch delayed

    MEASAT-3b launch delayed

    MUMBAI: The much awaited MEASAT-3b launch has been delayed. While the satellite was set for launch on 6 June (7 June Kuala Lumpur time), it has now been postponed after the manufacturer of the MEASAT-3b co-passenger requested time for repairs to their satellite.

     

    “We are clearly disappointed with the delay and are currently in co-ordination with Arianespace (the launch service provider) on the rescheduling of the launch,” said MEASAT Satellite Systems CEO Paul Brown-Kenyon through a press statement. “We will provide an update when we receive further information on the revised launch date,” he continued.

     

    MEASAT-3b is designed to provide an additional 48 high powered Ku-band transponders to the 91.5°E orbital slot to expand Direct-To-Home and VSAT services across Malaysia, India, Indonesia and Australia. Co-located with MEASAT-3 and MEASAT-3a, the satellite will more than double MEASAT’s Ku-band capacity at 91.5°E creating one of the region’s most powerful and robust orbital locations.

     

    The delay in the launch of the satellite will further delay DTH operator Sun Direct’s plans of adding more high definition and standard definition channels. With the launch of MEASAT-3b, Sun Direct is set to add nine more transponders to its existing four transponders.  

  • New Ku-band Telugu channel Manna TV launched

    New Ku-band Telugu channel Manna TV launched

    The southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh yesterday witnessed the launch a new Telugu channel christened Manna TV on state-of-the art Ku band-based satellite communication network.

     

    The state’s chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu did the honours on the occasion of Ugadi, Telugu New Year, according to the Press Trust of India.

     

    As part of pilot transmission, Manna TV will commence telecasting long distance education programmes of Dr BR Ambedkar Open University and the University Grants Commission (UGC) respectively. It will also provide information about various state government departments and help farmers with prompt and timely update on weather and seasonal conditions.

     

    In his inauguration address, Naidu thanked the Indian Science Research Organisation (ISRO) for agreeing to his government’s request for providing the Ku band linkage. He said apart from literary and informative programmes, the channel would also focus on beaming entertainment programmes. The Ku band connected channel – which now caters to the needs of students belonging to 46 junior colleges, 12 degree colleges, 56 high schools and 94 government departments – will be expanded to more university colleges and schools from the next academic year.

  • Eutelsat acquires GE-23 satellite from GE Capital

    Eutelsat acquires GE-23 satellite from GE Capital

    MUMBAI: Eutelsat Communications, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, on Thursday announced closure of the transaction to acquire GE-23 satellite, associated customer contracts and orbital rights from GE Capital, having obtained all required regulatory approvals.

     

    The satellite, renamed Eutelsat 172A, is now part of Eutelsat’s fleet, with technical and commercial teams working to ensure a smooth transition for existing customers.

    Commenting on the acquisition, Eutelsat Communications CEO Michel de Rosen said, “We are delighted to announce finalisation of this acquisition that brings three key assets to Eutelsat: first, a high-quality satellite equipped with a flexible payload of C and Ku-band capacity in great demand over the Asia-Pacific region. Secondly, the transaction includes orbital rights at 172° East, giving us an exceptional platform to serve dynamic markets in the region as well as headroom for further expansion.

     

    “Thirdly, we are acquiring a portfolio of quality customer relationships that we are excited to serve. This satellite adds further ballast to Eutelsat’s organic growth initiatives, notably our Eutelsat 70B satellite which is equipped with a dedicated Asian beam and on track for launch later this year.”

    Built by Thales Alenia Space, the satellite was launched in December 2005 with expected performance for 15 years. From geostationary orbit at 172° East, it offers unique coverage over the Asia-Pacific region via a payload of 20 Ku-band transponders accessing five interconnecting beams and 18 C-band transponders connected to a trans-Pacific beam.

     

    Leveraging its comprehensive coverage and high-bandwidth capability, Eutelsat 172A already offers a broad range of telecom services to a diverse base of blue chip customers.
  • SES-5 satellite launched, to boost capacity across EMEA

    SES-5 satellite launched, to boost capacity across EMEA

    MUMBAI: Leading satellite operator SES has said that the SES-5 satellite has been successfully launched into space on board an ILS Proton Breeze M booster.

     

    After a 9-hour, 12-minute mission, the Breeze M upper stage of the Proton rocket released the SES-5 satellite directly into geostationary transfer orbit.

     

    The SES-5 satellite was designed and built for SES by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a leading manufacturer of commercial satellites.

    The spacecraft, to be positioned at the orbital slot of 5 degrees East, features 36 active Ku-band transponders and up to 24 active C-band transponders.

     

    SES-5 has two Ku-band beams, one serving customers in the Nordic and Baltic countries and one serving Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as two C-band beams, one with global coverage and one with hemispheric coverage over Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The satellite provides Ku-band uplink capability, allowing for flexible operations between Europe and Africa.

     

    SES-5 is designed to deliver high performance and extensive coverage for direct-to-home (DTH) services, broadband, maritime communications, GSM backhaul, and VSAT applications in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

    The satellite also features the L-band payload for the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). The EGNOS payload, which was developed for the European Commission (EC), will help verify, improve, and report on the reliability and accuracy of navigation positioning signals in Europe.

     

    SES President and CEO Romain Bausch declared, “SES-5 marks the second successful ILS-Proton launch in 2012 for SES and the third SES satellite delivered by Space Systems/Loral in the last ten months. SES-5 furthermore hosts the EGNOS payload for the European Commission. The powerful new satellite enters the global SES fleet as Number 51.

     

    “We would like to thank the launch teams of Space Systems/Loral, ILS, Khrunichev and SES for their dedicated work that ultimately ensured total mission success. We would also like to thank the European Commission for entrusting SES with the EGNOS hosted payload. After thorough in-orbit testing, SES and its customers can now look forward to SES-5 providing new, state-of-the-art satellite capacity across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.”
  • Eutelsat, Es’hailSat select Arianespace for satellite

    Eutelsat, Es’hailSat select Arianespace for satellite

    MUMBAI: Global satellite operator Eutelsat and Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, have selected Arianespace to launch their Eutelsat 25B[1] / Es’hail 1 satellite in the second quarter of 2013 on board an Ariane 5 launcher.

     

    The contract signed with Arianespace to deliver Eutelsat 25B / Es’hail 1 into orbit marks a further step forward in Eutelsat and Es’hailSat’s joint programme to operate a high-performance satellite at 25.5° East, a longstanding orbital position serving expanding markets in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.

    The new satellite will provide superior coverage and power to follow on from Eutelsat’s Eutelsat 25A satellite. In addition to securing Ku-band continuity for Eutelsat and Ku-band resources for Es’hailSat, it will initiate a Ka-band capability to open business opportunities for both parties.

     

    The satellite, weighing over six tonnes, is under construction by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L).

    Eutelsat CEO Michel de Rosen said, “Together with our partner, Es’hailSat, we are delighted to entrust the launch of our satellite to Arianespace that has delivered Eutelsat with reliability, flexibility and on-time performance over almost 30 years. This mission for 2013 is a new marker in a solid and longstanding relationship, enabling Eutelsat to pursue our objective to renew and expand the resources and quality of service we provide our customers.”

     

    Es’hailSat CEO Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari said, “We are delighted that, together with Eutelsat, we have been able to select Arianespace to launch our first satellite. Es’hail 1 is just the start of our mission to provide high quality, independent satellite services to meet Qatar’s national stakeholder’s interests and serve customers throughout the Middle East and North Africa”.
  • Hot Bird 8 Satellite begins commercial service

    Hot Bird 8 Satellite begins commercial service

    MUMBAI: The Hot Bird 8 broadcast satellite of Eutelsat Communications has gone into commercial service at 13 degrees East. The satellite has 64 Ku-band transponders which span the entire range of frequencies used at Eutelsat’s Hot Bird 8 neighbourhood for broadcasting more than 950 television channels and 550 radio stations to over 113 million homes.

    The size and configuration of Hot Bird 8 enables Eutelsat to increase in-orbit redundancy at its premium video neighbourhood and releases Hot Bird 3 for its new mission at 10 degrees East, informs an official release.

    Built by EADS Astrium and launched on 5 August from the Baikonour Cosmodrome, Hot Bird 8’s scheduled in-orbit life is expected to exceed 15 years. Following launch and manoeuvres to bring the satellite into geostationary orbit, HOT BIRD(TM) 8 completed an exhaustive round of in-orbit tests at 1.7 degrees East.

    These were followed by a series of digital video and data transmissions at 4 degrees East, which is a future operational position for the Group.

    Now released from its mission at 13 degrees East, Hot Bird 3 will begin transfer operations for its relocation to its new position at 10 degrees East where it is scheduled to begin service later in October under the name of Eurobird 10, the release adds.

  • 2 new DD satellite channels for North-East India mulled

    2 new DD satellite channels for North-East India mulled

    NEW DELHI: Pubcaster Doordarshan is likely to set up uplinking facility for two new North East Indian channels in about a year and a half.

    These would, however, commence when adequate number of suitable programmes is ready, information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said today.

    The minister said that Rs. 27.9 million and under Rs. 1 million have been earmarked for the launch of these channels and their inclusion in Ku-Band under the North East special package phase-II, which was approved in May, 2006.

  • Asiasat contracts Space Systems/Loral to build Asiasat 5

    Asiasat contracts Space Systems/Loral to build Asiasat 5

    MUMBAI: Satellite operator Asiasat has signed a construction agreement with Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) to design and build Asiasat 5, a replacement satellite for Asiasat 2.

    Asiasat 5 will launch in the second quarter of 2008. It will be built on a SS/L’s 1300 series satellite platform and will carry 26 C-band and 14 Ku-band transponders with an estimated operational life of 15 years.

    Asiasat 5’s C-band footprint will offer a more powerful pan-Asian coverage than that of AsiaSat 2. Its Ku-band coverage will consist of three high power beams, two of which will cover East Asia and South Asia and an in-orbit steerable beam that can be positioned to provide service anywhere within Asiasat 5’s geographic coverage.

    Asiasat 5 is designed to replace Asiasat 2 at the orbital location of 100.5 degrees East in advance of Asiasat 2’s scheduled retirement of 2010. Launching Asiasat 5 satellite two years earlier than required allows sufficient time to construct and launch a replacement satellite if necessary.

    Asiasat CEO Peter Jackson says, “The SS/L 1300 series satellite is a space-proven platform and it offers the performance, reliability and cost effectiveness our customers require for AsiaSat 5. This satellite will allow Asiasat to expand our capacity and provide Asiasat with the capability of serving more diverse satellite services from this popular orbital slot of 100.5 degrees East.

    “Planning this project well ahead of Asiasat 2’s retirement confirms our commitment to ensure continuity of service to our customers in the years ahead.”