Eutelsat’s latest addition to its fleet has been successfully launched by an Ariane 5 rocket from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Hot Bird 10 was accompanied on its journey by New Skies’ NSS 9.
“The successful launch of Hot Bird 10 marks a further step forward in our extensive in-orbit investment programme for 2008-2011,” said Eutelsat Communications CEO Giuliano Berretta “As an identical satellite to Hot Bird 8 and the recently-launched Hot Bird 9, this new satellite forms part of our programme for full in-orbit sparing of the 102 frequencies operated at the Hot Bird neighbourhood which broadcasts almost 1,100 channels to 120 million satellite and cable homes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.”
Next week Hot Bird 9 will come into service at 13 degrees East, while Hot Bird 10 will initially be deployed at 7 degrees West as a temporary replacement for Atlantic Bird 4 and significantly boosting capacity at the position.
