Commercial satellites provider Space Systems Loral (SSL) has delivered its new Intelsat 36 communications satellite to its launch site at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Designed and built for Intelsat, the new satellite will be lifted off aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle by Arianespace.

Planned to be launched in the third quarter of this year, Intelsat 36 will provide direct-to-home television services in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as television programme distribution services in South Asia.

SSL president John Celli said: “SSL delivered Intelsat 36 to the Arianespace launch base in just 24 months from contract signing.

“This type of fast turnaround is only possible when we work closely with trusted partners, like Intelsat.

“SSL has built more than 50 satellites for Intelsat, and Intelsat 36 is the second that we have delivered to them in 2016.  Now our teams are working together with Arianespace to prepare the satellite for launch.”

Weighing 3.4t at launch, Intelsat 36 is equipped with both Ku-band and C-band capacity.

“We’re pleased with the on-time delivery of Intelsat 36, and look forward to adding this important satellite to our fleet.”

Built on SSL 1300 platform, the new satellite is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.

Intelsat space systems senior vice-president Ken Lee said: “SSL has worked together with us for many years, and shares our passion for innovation, quality, and reliability.

“We’re pleased with the on-time delivery of Intelsat 36, and look forward to adding this important satellite to our fleet.”

The company’s second Intelsat Epic series of high-throughput satellites (HTS), known as Intelsat 33e, was recently delivered to the Guiana Space Center for its launch.

The satellite is scheduled to be launched next month aboard an Ariane 5 rocket.

Image: The delivered Intelsat 36 satellite. Photo: courtesy of SSL.