SES, EchoStar Select Airbus Defence and Space to Build New Satellite

AMC 18 North America C-band beam. Image credit: SES

[Via Satellite 09-04-2014] SES and EchoStar are continuing their partnership at the 105 degrees east orbital slot through a new joint satellite. Known as both SES 11 and EchoStar 105, the spacecraft will carry 24 Ku-band transponders and 24 C-band transponders with the equivalent of 36 MHz. Airbus Defence and Space has been contracted to build the satellite on the Eurostar 3000 bus, with an anticipated launch date in fourth quarter 2014.

SES intends to use the C-band payload to replace AMC 18 at 105 degrees west. The Ku-band payload replaces AMC 15, collocated at 105 degrees west, where EchoStar served as the primary customer. EchoStar has been providing satcom services from this orbital slot since 2006.

“The market for 50-state transponder capacity in North America has demonstrated significant growth for EchoStar Satellite Services over the past five years. The acquisition of EchoStar 105 renews our commitment to the fixed satellite services market in North America,” said Anders Johnson, president of EchoStar Satellite Services.