Spacecom has signed an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to manufacture its new Amos-6 satellite.
Amos-6 is scheduled to launch in 2015 and will provide coverage to Central & East Europe, the Middle East and US east coast from the four degrees West Orbital slot.
The $200 million agreement will see IAI manufacture the new satellite; MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates will be the contractor for the Ku and multi-beam Ka pay-loads.
“We are proud to select Israel Aerospace Industries to be our partner in the Amos-6 project. They have been our partners in manufacturing the majority of our earlier satellites, and we have an excellent working relationship with all aspects of their organization,” commented David Pollack, president and CEO of Spacecom. “Amos-6 will expand our reach to include Western Europe, add new Ka-band spot beams and eventually replace the Amos-2 satellite when it ends commercial service in 2016. We are excited to start moving forward with this project which will enhance our reputation as a multi-regional satellite operator.”
Spacecom is planning to raise funds from a consortium of investors, including IAI and foreign lenders that support exporters of systems to be included in the satellite.
