[Satellite Today  7-02-08] Arianespace is scheduled to loft the ProtoStar 1 and Badr-6 satellites into orbit July 7.
    ProtoStar I is based on Space Systems/Loral’s 1300 platform and is intended to provide K-band/C-band relay capacity over Asia. It will be the first in a fleet of relay platforms that ProtoStar plans to deploy for advanced satellite television services and two-way broadband communications access.
    Arabsat’s Badr-6 satellite, designated to operate from Arabsat’s 26° East orbital location, was built jointly by EADS Astrium and Alcatel Alenia Space and will be operated by Arabsat.