The Eutelsat 21B satellite of Eutelsat Communications has arrived in Kourou, French Guiana, and is now being prepared for launch on November 9 by Arianespace on board an Ariane 5 rocket (Flight VA210). Lift-off is planned from 22.05 (CET) at the beginning of a launch window lasting 106 minutes.
Weighing five tons at lift-off, Eutelsat 21B has been built for Eutelsat by Thales Alenia Space using its established Spacebus 4000 platform. The satellite is designed to operate in orbit for 15 years.
The 40-transponder Ku-band satellite will occupy the 21.5° East position developed by Eutelsat since 1999 into a location of choice for telcos, enterprises and government administrations operating in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. Its deployment will enable Eutelsat to boost capacity at this sought-after location by almost 50%.
Eutelsat’s newest satellite will replace Eutelsat 21A which will subsequently be redeployed to another location for continued commercial service.
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