[Satellite TODAY 09-09-09] Thales Alenia Space and Astrium were awarded contracts by Argentine satellite company Arsat to build the Arsat-1 satellite, scheduled to launch in 2012, the companies announced Sept. 8.
Thales Alenia Space will build Arsat-1’s payload and Astrium will supply the satellite with a variety of technologies including, the satellite processing unit (SPU), the central cylinder and the propulsion subsystem.
Arsat-1 is part of Argentina’s SSGAT (Sistema Satelital Geoestacionario Argentino de Telecomunicaciones) program to manufacture the first Argentine geostationary telecom satellite. Invap, a regional manufacturer of observation satellites, was selected by Arsat as prime contractor of ARSAT-1 and will integrate the Thales Alenia Space payload with the platform they are currently developing.
Astrium said it was selected by Arsat as a result of an international competition. The company was later selected to provide the propulsion subsystem – a bi-propellant system which uses an oxidizer and fuel to propel the satellite after separation from the launcher to its final orbital position.
Arsat-1 will be equipped with 24 Ku-band transponders and positioned at the 71.8 degrees West orbital slot. The spacecraft aims to provide data, telephone and television transmission services for Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia.
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