SSL to Build Bulgarian Satellite, SpaceX to Launch
By Caleb Henry | September 9, 2014
Artist’s rendition of bulgariasat 1. Photo: SSL
[Via Satellite 09-09-2014] SSL has been selected by Bulgaria Sat, a joint stock company established by the owners of Bulsatcom, to build the company’s first satellite: BulgariaSat 1. Slated for launch in 2016 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the satellite will provide Direct-To-Home (DTH) TV services in the Balkan region.
BulgariaSat 1 is based on the SSL 1300 satellite bus and will carry two Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) transponders and 30 Broadcast Satellite Service (BSS) transponders all in Ku-band. SSL assisted Bulgaria Sat in acquiring financing from the United States Export–Import (Ex-Im) Bank. The satellite has a design life of 15 years or more.