Thales Alenia Space Wins Nilesat-201 Satellite Contract

[Satellite Today – 06-03-08] Thales Alenia Space won a contract from Nilesat to build the Nilesat-201 satellite and provide associated services and ground stations, Thales said June 3.
    Based on a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, Nilesat-201 will carry 24 Ku-band transponders and 4 Ka-band channels. The satellite will enable digital direct-to-the-home TV and radio broadcasting services and high-speed data transmission services over North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf area beginning in February 2010.
    “Nilesat 201 will contribute into the boost development in the dynamic broadcasting markets in the Middle East and North Africa, which is represented by the currently existing 435 TV channels delivered by Nilesat satellites at 7 degrees West, the hot spot of the region,” Amin Basyouni, CEO of Nilesat, said in a statement. “This mission surely would need a reliable platform as the one provided by Thales Alenia Space, which has earned an impressive reputable heritage in the satellites market.”