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Arianespace has been chosen to launch the two communications satellites, Yamal-401 and Yamal-402 within the scope of a contract between Thales Alenia Space and Russian operator Gazprom.

The launch contract was signed yesterday in Moscow, following the contract signed by Thales Alenia Space and Gazprom for the in-orbit delivery of the satellites Yamal-401 and Yamal-402.

Thales Alenia Space will build these two satellites using Spacebus 4000C3 platforms. They will be orbited by Ariane 5 ECA launchers in the second half of 2011.

Offering a design life exceeding 15 years, the two satellites will provide fixed communications and television transmission services. Yamal-401 will weigh 4,900 kg at launch, and will be equipped with 36 Ku-band and 17 C-band transponders. It will be positioned at 90 degrees East. Yamal-402, weighing 4,800 kg at launch, will have 46 Ku-band transponders and be positioned at 55 degrees East.

Commenting on this latest contract, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said: ‘We are particularly honored to have once again earned the trust of Thales Alenia Space, and we are very proud of being able to play a role in the development of the Russian operator Gazprom. Being chosen to launch Yamal-401 and Yamal-402 clearly reflects the quality and excellence of Arianespace’s launch Service & Solutions.”