EUTELSAT 25B Satellite Arrives in Kourou and Prepares for Launch on August 29

PARIS, July 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

The EUTELSAT 25B satellite of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) has arrived at the European spaceport in French Guiana and is now in final stages of preparation for launch by an Ariane 5 vehicle on August 29.

Built by Space Systems/Loral (SSL) this high-power, multi-mission satellite is jointly owned by Eutelsat and Es'hailSat from Qatar. It will be operated at the 25.5° East orbital location currently occupied by the EUTELSAT 25C satellite in order to provide both operators with flexible coverage over the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia for broadcasting, telecommunications and government services in Ku and Ka-bands.  

The satellite is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 platform and is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.

The launch is scheduled for 29 August during a launch window opening at 20.30 UTC and closing at 21.20 UTC. For more information on Ariane Flight VA215 consult http://www.arianespace.com

Photos of the departure of the satellite to Kourou are available on Flickr.

About Eutelsat Communications (http://www.eutelsat.com)

With capacity commercialised on 31 satellites delivering reach of  Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, significant parts of the Americas and the Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading satellite operators. As of 31 March 2013, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 4,600 television channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV contribution, corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband markets. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ over 780 commercial, technical and operational professionals from 30 countries.

SOURCE Eutelsat Communications