Article Posted on : - Jul 01, 2010

A File Photo.

CANNES (BNS): The Nilesat-201 and RASCOM-QAF1R communication satellites, built by Thales Alenia Space as the prime contractor for Nilesat and RascomStar-QAF, respectively, have arrived at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, for final preparations leading up to an Ariane 5 launch this summer.

According to a news release by the Thales Group, Nilesat-201 will be positioned at 7 degrees West longitude and offer a design life of 15 years. The RASCOM-QAF1R satellite will be positioned at 2.9 degrees East longitude.

Nilesat-201 which is fitted with 24 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band transponders will generate 5.9 kW of power at end-of-life. RASCOM-QAF1R is equipped with 24 equivalent 36 MHz transponders in both Ku-band and C-band and provides 6.4 kW of power at end-of-life.

Built on a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, Nilesat-201 will enable the Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat to deliver digital Direct to Home (DTH) TV and radio broadcasting and high-speed data transmission services to North Africa and the Middle East starting in September 2010.

The RASCOM-QAF1R satellite which is based on the Spacebus 4000B3 platform will cover the African continent, as well as parts of Europe and the Middle East.