France Telecom and EuropeStar are to set up Stellat, a joint venture providing satellite broadcast and internet services to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Stellat will develop, launch and operate a high-power communications satellite. France Telecom will hold a 70% share in the €250 million ($282 million) programme; EuropeStar is taking 30%.
The satellite will be built by Alcatel Space based on its Spacebus 300 B3 platform, with 10 C-band and 35 Ku-band transponders. Its position will be at 5íW in geostationary orbit after launch in April .
· The French Government has directed Alcatel Space and its competitor Astrium to collaborate on bids to build reconnaissance satellites for other countries, with Astrium supplying the spacecraft bus and Alcatel the payload.
Source: Flight International
