Bermuda-based satellite operator ABS has successfully launched its ABS-2 telecommunications satellite into space onboard Arianespace’s Ariane ECA launch vehicle, marking ABS’s first satellite launch.

Manufactured by Space Systems/Loral (SSL), the satellite has been launched from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Space port in Kourou at 9.30pm UTC.

A multi-mission satellite, ABS-2 features 89 active C, Ku and Ka-band transponders across ten different beams, and will offer coverage and expansion capacity at the prime location of 75° east.

"ABS-2 is a very advanced satellite that has the capability to improve the human experience in multiple regions of the world."

The satellite will facilitate affordable and reliable communications and broadcast services to Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Russia/CIS countries.

ABS CEO Tom Choi said: "The ABS-2 satellite will significantly contribute towards our expansion plans and is part of our growth strategy to increase the ABS satellite fleet and and becoming a global satellite operator in the coming years."

SSL president John Celli added: "ABS-2 is a very advanced satellite that has the capability to improve the human experience in multiple regions of the world."

ABS provides a variety of services including Direct-to-Home, Cable TV distribution, Cellular Backhaul, VSAT and Internet Backbone services with diverse IP transit through its European, African, Middle East and Asian internet gateways.

The company currently operates five satellites, ABS-1, ABS-1A, ABS-2i, ABS-3 and ABS-7 from three locations at 3°W, 75°E and 116°E.

In addition, ABS ordered two Boeing 702SP satellites, ABS-3A & ABS-2A, with the options to add further satellites over the next two to three years to its growing fleet.

Defence Technology