Arianespace Snags Three Launch Contracts
By Staff Writer | September 9, 2004
Arianespace was tapped by The DirecTV Group [DTV] for the launch of the Spaceway 2 satellite in April 2005 aboard an Ariane 5, and for the launch of an unnamed direct-to-home satellite at an as-yet-undisclosed time, also aboard an Ariane 5.
PanAmSat also signed the France-based company for the launch of its Galaxy 17 satellite sometime in late 2006. Again, the Ariane 5 launch vehicle will be used. The satellite will be built by Alcatel Space using its Spacebus 3000 B3 platform, and it will transmit TV broadcast and telephony services to North America.