Arianespace has respectively deployed the SKY Brasil-1 (SKYB-1) and Telkom 3S communication satellites into orbit for Brazilian operator AT&T/DIRECTV and Telkom Indonesia.

Both satellites were launched aboard Arianespace’s Ariane 5 heavy launcher from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, French Guiana.

Once fully operational, SKYB-1 will provide high-definition direct-to-home (DTH) TV broadcast for Brazil and the North Atlantic Ocean region.

With a 6,000kg lift-off mass, the Airbus Defence and Space-built satellite has a design life of more than 19 years.

Manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, Telkom 3S has been designed to provide high-definition television (HDTV) broadcast services, as well as mobile communications and internet applications for Indonesia, South-East Asia and parts of Malaysia.

“Arianespace carried out its first Ariane 5 launch of the year this evening for our American and Indonesian customers, also marking the 77th successful launch in a row of our heavy launcher.”

Launched under a contract between Arianespace and Thales Alenia Space, the satellite features a 3,550kg lift-off mass and will offer services for more than 16 years.

Arianespace chairman and CEO Stéphane Israël said: “Arianespace carried out its first Ariane 5 launch of the year this evening for our American and Indonesian customers, also marking the 77th successful launch in a row of our heavy launcher.”

In May 2015, the company launched SKY Mexico-1 and DIRECTV-15 satellites aboard its Ariane 5 rocket for AT&T/DIRECTV.

In 1999 and 2005, Arianespace respectively launched Telkom 1 and Telkom 2 satellites on behalf of Telkom Indonesia.


Image: Arianespace lifting off SKYB-1 and Telkom 3S satellites into space. Photo: courtesy of Arianespace.