Alcatel Alenia Space signed a deal with China Satellite Communication Corp. to design and manufacture the Chinasat 6B satellite, Alcatel announced Dec. 5.

Chinasat 6B will be based on the Spacebus 4000 C2 platform and fitted with 38 C-band channels. The spacecraft, weighing about 4,600 kilograms at launch, will be placed into orbit by a Chinese Long March 3B launch vehicle and reside at 115.5 degrees East.

Alcatel Alenia Space will assist China Satcom with the launch campaign, orbital positioning and in-orbit testing. Financial terms and delivery date for the satellite were not disclosed.