[Satellite TODAY 09-08-11] Spanish satellite operator Hispasat has contracted Arianespace to launch its new Amazonas-3 telecommunications satellite on an Ariane 5 rocket at the end of 2012 or in early 2013 from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, Arianespace confirmed Sept. 7.

   Amazonas-3 will be built by Space Systems/Loral and fitted with 33 Ku-band transponders, 19 C-band transponders and nine Ka-band broadband spotbeams. The satellite will replace the Amazonas-1 satellite, providing a range of broadband telecommunications services to the Americas and Europe from the 61 degrees West orbital position.

   “Since the launch of our first satellite in 1992, Hispasat and Arianespace have maintained a very strong relationship of mutual trust. We chose Arianespace because the launch of Amazonas-3 is a key to our growth strategy in the Americas,” Hispasat Chairwoman Petra Mateos-Aparicio said in a statement.

Amazonas-3 will be the seventh Spanish satellite launched by Arianespace. The European launcher first orbited the Hispasat 1A and 1B satellites in 1992 and 1993, respectively. Arianespace most recently launched the Hispasat 1E satellite in 2010.