Matra Marconi Space (MMS) expects to announce partners for its proposed $1 billion Euro-African Satellite Telecommunications (EAST) system within the next few months. A consortium of investors from southern Africa, the Middle East and Europe is being set up to operate the system.
The prime satellite, an MMS Eurostar 3000 spacecraft bus, operating with Ku-band and L-band transponders, with a 13.5m-diameter antenna reflector, will be launched around 2000 to enable national operators to offer high-quality fixed and mobile telecommunications services.
MMS, which will be an investor in the EAST project, is meanwhile lining up potential investors for another venture, called the Wide Band European Satellite Telcommunications (WEST) systems. This will provide a range of multi-media services to homes, businesses and professional users.
One geostationary and nine medium-Earth-orbit Ka-band satellites will be deployed progressively, providing wideband-on-demand services globally from 2001. The craft will be based on the Eurostar 3000 bus.
Source: Flight International