- EADS Astrium is to manufacture the Astra 3B Ku/Ka-band direct-broadcast and broadband communications satellite for European satellite operator SES Astra. Due for launch in late 2009 into geosynchronous orbit at 23.5°E, the 52-transponder, 10kW (13shp)-class satellite will be based on the Eurostar E3000 platform.
- SES New Skies has selected Orbital Sciences to supply its NSS-9 commercial communications satellite, based on the Star 2 and generating 2.3kW power for 28 active transponders, for a 2008 launch. Netherlands-based New Skies' Boeing-built NSS-8 is due for launch in January.
- European IT services company LogicaCMG has won three contracts worth £5 million ($9.57 million) to develop software for the Galileo satellite navigation system. The software will be supplied to GMV, which is responsible for the integrity processing and the orbit synchronisation processing.
Source: Flight International
