Israel’s Spacecom has placed a $170 million contract with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) for the Amos 3 communications satellite, to be launched at the end of 2007 to replace the IAI-built Amos 1. The payload for the 15-transponder Amos 3 will be supplied by Alcatel Alenia Space. Norway’s Telenor Satellite Broadcasting has ordered the Thor II-R communications satellite from Orbital Systems for on-orbit delivery in 26 months. Orbital is to negotiate with International Launch Services to fly the 2,450kg (5,400lb), 24-transponder Ku-band satellite on a Proton.
Source: Flight International
