Eutelsat W7 Satellite in Baikonour and on Track for Proton Launch on November 23

Eutelsat W7 Satellite in Baikonour and on Track for Proton Launch on November 23

PARIS, November 2/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The W7 satellite of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) arrived at the Baikonour Cosmodrome on October 20, and is now in final stages of preparation for launch on November 23 by International Launch Services (ILS) on board a Proton Breeze M booster. The Proton lift-off is scheduled on November 23 at 14.22 GMT (15.22 CET).

Built for Eutelsat by Thales Alenia Space, Eutelsat's newest and most powerful satellite to date will be colocated with W4 at 36 degrees East to more than double resources at one of Eutelsat's fastest-growing neighbourhoods.

Through a configuration of up to 70 transponders connected to five high-performance fixed and steerable beams, W7 will provide coverage of Russia and sub-Saharan Africa for digital broadcasting services including pay-TV, and add significant resources and flexibility for expanding video and telecommunications markets in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and central Asia. The satellite will also enhance service provided since 2000 by SESAT 1, which after W7's entry into service at 36degrees East will be redeployed at an alternative location.

W7's launch marks the latest step in Eutelsat's far-reaching investment programme of new satellites designed to expand, renew and secure its in-orbit resources. Four further satellites will be orbited by the end of 2011 (W3B, KA-SAT, W3C and ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 7).

W7 characteristics:

Prime contractor - Thales Alenia Space

Platform: Spacebus 4000 C4

Launch mass: 5.6 tonnes

Solar array power: 15.8 kW

Payload power: 13.2 kW

Operational lifetime: 15 years

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 27 satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. At 30 June 2009, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting almost 3,200 television channels and 1,100 radio stations. More than 1,000 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves over 123 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group's satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat's broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates services through teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ 610 commercial, technical and operational employees from 28 countries. http://www.eutelsat.com

          For further information      Press     Vanessa O'Connor     Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88  voconnor@eutelsat.fr                           Frederique Gautier   Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88  fgautier@eutelsat.fr                     Investors     Gilles Janvier       Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30                            investors@eutelsat-communications.com  

Source: Eutelsat Communications

For further information: Press: Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frederique Gautier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88 fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Investors, Gilles Janvier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com

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