Eutelsat has successfully launched its W2A satellite from the Baikonur cosmodrome.
Carrying a payload of up to 46 Ku-band and 10 C-band transponders, it will also triple the group’s capacity in the key 10 degrees East neighbourhood.
W2A’s launch marks the latest in a series of nine planned by Eutelsat in the period 2008-2011.
The first two satellites – Hot Bird 9 and Atlantic Bird 4A – are already deployed, with the next to follow, in the middle of this year, being W7. It will principally target Russia and sub-Saharan Africa.