Canada's Telesat has awarded EADS Astrium the contract to build Anik F3, based on its Eurostar 300 bus, and selected International Launch Services to launch the communications satellite by Proton/Breeze M from Baikonur in 2006.
The Indian Space Research Organisation has struck a deal with Netherlands-based New Skies Satellites for multiple Ku-band transponders on NSS-6 to be used by state-owned TV for the largest free direct-to-home service ever attempted.
NASA is to issue a request for proposals in June for development of a de-orbit module for the Hubble Space Telescope, which will have to be de-orbited by about 2009.
Source: Flight International
