Spacecom has announced plans for an AMOS-6 satellite after signing agreements with banks and the satellite’s future manufacturer.
The loans, to the value of a little over US$293 million will cover the satellite’s construction, launch, insurance and financing.
The consortium is led by Export Development Canada (EDC) which will loan up to US$140 million; Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im) which will loan up to US $106 million and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) with a loan up to US $47 million.
IAI will be responsible for the manufacture and preparation for the launch of the satellite that will be positioned at 4 degrees West, current home to AMOS-2 and AMOS-3.
IAI is responsible for manufacturing and preparing for launch of the satellite whose launch date is scheduled for 2015 to the AMOS 4°W ‘hot spot,’ current home to the AMOS-2 and AMOS-3.
“Creating the loan framework with the leading export banks of the USA and Canada is recognition that Spacecom’s AMOS-6 is an important project for the satellite industry,” David Pollack, president and CEO of Spacecom commented. “AMOS-6 is an important building block of our forward looking business strategy and growth. We are excited to grow further in our program toward becoming a global satellite operator. We thank both EDC and EXIM for their trust and support”
AMOS-6 will be both larger and more powerful than AMOS-2 and AMOS-3 combined.
Its addition will extend Western Europe and multi-beam coverage over parts of Africa to existing Central and Eastern Europe and Middle East coverage.