The Nilesat-201 and RASCOM-QAF1R satellite passengers for Arianespace's third heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA launch of 2010 have begun final checkout in preparation for their planned August 3 liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana.
These spacecraft have completed the fit-check milestones, which validate the compatibility with the adapters that serve as their interface within the Ariane 5's dual-payload "stack."
The two satellites were produced by Thales Alenia Space, and the fit-check activity was performed with both spacecraft inside the S5B integration hall of the Spaceport's large S5 payload preparation facility.
RASCOM-QAF1R is based on the Spacebus 4000B3 platform and carries 24 equivalent 36-MHz transponders in both Ku-band and C-band. It will provide Africa with access to advanced communications and information technologies – in particular rural telephony – from an orbital slot of 2.9 degrees East longitude.
To be operated by RascomStar-QAF, the spacecraft will offer coverage for the African continent, along with parts of Europe and the Middle East.
Nilesat-201 was built with a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, and is equipped with 24 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band transponders. Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat will utilize this relay platform to deliver digital Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV and radio broadcasting, along with high-speed data transmission services, to North Africa and the Middle East. Nilesat-201 is to be located at an orbital position of 7 degrees West longitude.
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