Arabsat signs Badr-7 contracts

Satellite broadcaster Arabsat has signed contracts with Astrium, Thales Alenia Space and Arianespace for the manufacture and launch of Badr-7, the first of its sixth generation of spacecraft.

The two contracts, together worth over US$400 million, will see the new satellite build and launched to the key Arabsat orbital slot of 26° East, delivering Ku-band Ka-band capacity for the provision of broadcasting, information and broadband services. The satellite will provide coverage over the Middle East, Africa, Asia and parts of Europe.