EADS Astrium awarded Nimiq 4 satellite by Telesat
* High-power TV satellite to serve Canada
* Third Eurostar E3000 satellite for Telesat
Ottawa/Toulouse, 17 January 2006
EADS Astrium has been selected by Telesat, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, to build the company’s new Nimiq 4 satellite. This is the third consecutive order for a Eurostar E3000 satellite from the Canadian-based operator following Anik F1R and Anik F3. Planned to enter service in 2008, Nimiq 4 will broadcast direct-to-home TV from its orbital location of 82º West.
Nimiq 4 will continue to enhance digital television services in Canada. It will feature 32 active high-power transponders in Ku-band and 8 in Ka-band. The multi-spot Ka-band payload will provide coverage of the most densely populated regions of Canada.
Nimiq 4 is the third satellite awarded by Telesat to EADS Astrium in three years. Anik F1R entered operational service in orbit in October 2005, and Anik F3 is planned for launch later this year.
EADS Astrium, as prime contractor for Nimiq 4, will design and build the satellite and supply both the payload and the platform. EADS Astrium’s facilities in the UK Germany, Spain and France and will contribute to the design and manufacture of the spacecraft. Canadian industry will supply a significant part of the spacecraft equipment and technologies.
Nimiq 4 is based on the E3000 version of the highly successful Eurostar communications satellite. It will have a launch mass of 4.8 tonnes, a solar array span of 39 metres once deployed in orbit, and spacecraft power of 12 kW at end of life. The double-floor E3000 model is equipped with an all-chemical propulsion system and Lithium-Ion batteries. The satellite, operating in geostationary orbit, will provide commercial services for a minimum of 15 years.
To date, 41 Eurostar spacecraft have been ordered, of which 29 have already been launched and have proven highly reliable in operational service. Six Eurostar E3000s are now operational in orbit and eight more are currently at various stages of production.
“EADS Astrium is a responsive and reliable supplier that understands Telesat’s needs — and those of our customers,” said Larry Boisvert, Telesat’s president and CEO. “Telesat is committed to delivering the most advanced satellite services across the Americas, and EADS Astrium will help us continue this tradition with the construction of our eighteenth satellite, the state-of-the-art Nimiq 4.”
Antoine Bouvier, CEO of EADS Astrium, said: “We are very proud that Telesat has selected Eurostar E3000 spacecraft for their three most recent orders. This demonstrates the confidence of our customer in the reliability of our satellites and our proven ability to deliver quality products on time.”
Telesat (www.telesat.com) is a pioneer and world leader in satellite operations and systems management. The company made history in 1972 with the launch of the first domestic commercial communications satellite in geostationary orbit. Today, Telesat competes with other top international satellite fleets in providing telecommunications and broadcasting services throughout the Americas. Telesat is a wholly owned subsidiary of BCE Inc., a leading communications company with shares listed in the United States, Canada and Europe.
EADS Astrium is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS SPACE, which is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2004, EADS SPACE had a turnover of €2.6 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of €31.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 110,000.
Contacts for the media
Rémi Roland
EADS SPACE (FR)
Tel.: +33 (0)1 42 24 27 34
Frédéric-Pierre Isoz
EADS SPACE (FR)
Tel.: +33 (0) 1 42 24 28 77
Jeremy Close
EADS SPACE (UK)
Tel.: +44 (0)1438 77 38 72
Mathias Pikelj
EADS SPACE (GER)
Tel.: +49 (0)7545 8 91 23
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