[SatNews] Space Systems/Loral (SSL) has announced that the Star One C4 satellite, designed and built for Embratel Star One, has arrived at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, where it will be launched aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle by Arianespace—this launch marks the 50th SSL mission with Arianespace.

The Star One C4 satellite built by SSL is now at

launch base.

Photo courtesy of SSL.

When launched, the satellite will be placed in a hot spot location for transmitting signals of major TV stations in Brazil and will have 22-25 million parabolic antennas pointed in its direction. Star One C4 will feature 48 transponders (signal receivers and transmitters) in Ku-Band, increasing threefold the current capacity of the 70 W orbital position at this frequency band including use of BSS.

 

“Embratel Star One and SSL share a commitment to improving Latin America’s communications infrastructure and providing exceptional service,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “Star One C4, which is an advanced and powerful satellite, also has special significance to SSL as our 50th mission with Arianespace.”

 

“The new satellite will reinforce our DTH services in Brazil while expanding access to other Latin American countries and to the mainland United States,” said Gustavo Silbert, President of Embratel Star One.

 

Star One C4 is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 platform, which provides high-power and the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The satellite will be positioned at 70 degrees West longitude when launched and is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.