HotBird 7A
Eutelsat selects Alcatel to build HOT BIRD 7AAlcatel Space and Eutelsat S.A., one of the world’s leading satellite operators, today announced the signature of a contract for the construction of the HOT BIRDTM 7A communications satellite.
The order for this new satellite follows the loss of HOT BIRDTM 7 during launch last December. In addition to the original specifications, HOT BIRDTM 7A’s mission has been expanded to provide additional back-up and replacement capacity at Eutelsat’s key orbital slot, 13 degrees East, the world’s leading neighbourhood for satellite television broadcasting. This expanded mission has led to the choice of a larger, more flexible satellite platform than for the original version.
HOT BIRD 7A will be based on Alcatel Space’s Spacebus 3000 B3 platform. Launch is planned for the autumn of 2005, when the new satellite will join Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD family of satellites colocated at the 13 degree East slot, currently broadcasting 676 video channels and 565 audio channels. Equipped with 38 Ku-band transponders of 33 MHz minimum each (end of life), HOT BIRDTM 7A will replace HOT BIRD 1. The other 20 transponders will be available for potential back-up and replacement capacity for the HOT BIRD 2, 3 and 4 satellites. HOT BIRD 7A has a design life of 15 years. HOT BIRDTM 7A will be assembled and integrated in the clean rooms at Alcatel Space’s Cannes and Toulouse plants in southern France. It will weigh about 4,000 kg at launch, and its solar panels will provide 10 kW of electrical power.
The new satellite is very flexible, which enables EUTELSAT to potentially replace three other HOT BIRD satellites if necessary. This latest order reflects the commitment to maintaining, at this key orbital broadcasting position, a young fleet of satellites and to consolidating back-up capabilities.
