'Hot Bird' broadcast satellite is at pad

January 20, 2006

Alcatel says the Hot Bird 7A broadcast satellite it built for Eutelsat Communications has arrived at its launch pad in French Guiana.

The Hot Bird will be shot Feb. 21 into a position at 13 degrees East where it will be in position to beam radio and television broadcasts for cable and satellite customers.

The satellite will replace the spacecraft currently floating in that particular spot and will work in conjunction with Hot Bird 8, which is scheduled for launch in the second quarter. The 7A is equipped with 38 Ku-band transponders and is part of a network of satellites hosting 850 television channels and 550 radio stations serving Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Alcatel also signed an agreement Friday for a 38-transponder broadcast satellite that will be owned by China Satcom and will provide television signals for China, Southeast Asia and the Oceana region, the Xinhua news agency reported.

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