[Satellite TODAY 01-14-11] Eutelsat Communications has positioned the Ka-Sat satellite at its definitive location at 9 degrees East and will begin a series of in-orbit tests as it prepares to enter commercial service in May, the operator announced.
    The high-throughput satellite, built by Astrium and launched by International Launch Services in December, switched on its payload and deployed its solar panels and antennas. Ka-Sat will enter the final phase of integrated validation with its ground stations network and Internet backbone following in-orbit testing.
    Eutelsat will use the satellite to offer 82 high-capacity multi-spotbeams delivering broadband and data services over Europe and the Mediterranean Basin.