[Satellite News 10-22-08] Arianespace won a contract to launch the Rascom-QAF 1R satellite in 2010 aboard an Ariane 5 or Soyuz rocket from French Guiana, Arianespace announced Oct. 22.
    The satellite, being manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, will be equipped with 12 Ku-band transponders and eight C-band transponders. The satellite will provide telecoms services in rural areas of Africa over a period of 15 years, along with domestic and international connections, direct TV broadcast services and Internet access.
    Rascom QAF 1R will replace Rascom-QAF 1 satellite at 2.85 degrees East. The first Rascom satellite will have its expected lifetime cut short by a helium leak discovered shortly after its December 2007 launch.