Eutelsat 7C takes off

Satellite operator Eutelsat has successfully lofted its latest craft, Eutelsat 7C, into space. The satellite was launched from Kourou, French Guiana by an Ariane 5 rocket on Friday. 

Manufactured by Maxar Technologies, the 3.4 tonne high-power broadcast satellite which will serve markets across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Turkey, through 49 36MHz equivalent Ku-band transponders.

The satellite will be co-located with Eutelsat 7B at the 7° East position, increasing capacity for this slot by 19 transponders. It is due to enter into commercial service at the end of this year.

Eutelsat 7A, which is also currently located at this orbital slot, will be transferred to another location.

Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of Eutelsat, said: “Eutelsat 7C will allow us to further develop our 7° East video neighbourhood, with two co-located high-power satellites providing the best possible support to customers in this vibrant market. We are delighted to have benefitted from Maxar’s state-of-the-art technology and to celebrate yet another successful launch with Arianespace.”