[Satellite TODAY 05-02-11] Arianespace will launch the ABS-2 communications satellite for Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) on an Ariane 5 rocket from the European spaceport in French Guiana in 2013, the launch service provider announced April 29.
    ABS-2 will be placed in geostationary orbit at the 75 degrees East orbital location and co-located with the ABS-1, ABS-1A and ABS-1B satellites. The spacecraft will be fitted with C-, Ku-, and Ka-band transponders to provide optimized direct TV broadcast, multimedia applications, telecommunications and data transmission services over Asia, Russia, Africa and the Middle East.
    Arianespace CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall confirmed that with the addition of the ABS-2 contract, Arianespace has secured a total of 58 satellite launches for Asian operators to date. "ABS is a dynamic operator with a lot of professional expertise so we are particularly proud to have won their confidence to launch the ABS 2 satellite that will be critical for their company’s future," Le Gall said in a statement.