ILS has advised Eutelsat Communications that the launch of the Proton launch vehicle with the Eutelsat 9B satellite has been delayed due to weather-related logistical issues.
Launch vehicle processing continues without any technical issues and the satellite remains in a safe configuration at the launch site.
The launch was originally scheduled for January 28, and is now rescheduled for Saturday, January 30 at 04:20 local time in Baikonour (January 29 – 22.20 GMT, 23.20 CET).
Eutelsat 9B is a high-capacity Ku-band satellite for the 9 degrees East position, which will increase overall Eutelsat capacity to 50 physical transponders (47 equivalent 36Mz transponders). Eutelsat 9B will address broadcast markets through one pan-European footprint delivering wide coverage and four regional footprints serving Germany, Greece, Italy, and the Nordics with the Baltics and Ukraine.
The satellite will replace Eutelsat 9A that has built a diverse line-up of over 350 channels, of which 100 in HD, broadcasting to cable, DTH and DTT homes across Europe and serving clients that include M7 for the KabelKiosk and AustriaSat Magyarország platforms as well as OTE, AFN, Arqiva, Globecast, Media Broadcast and RR Media.
