The Thor 6 satellite, built by Thales Alenia for telecommunication provider Telenor Satellite Broadcasting, is ready to be shipped to its launch site in French Guyana.

The 3,050kg telecommunication satellite is based on the Thales Space Spacebus 4000 B2 platform and is fitted with 36 Ku-band transponders.

Thor 6 will provide high-power direct-to-home (DTH) television broadcasting services and also provide additional transponder capacity to replace the Thor 3 satellite, which is set to retire in 2010.

The 7kW spacecraft will provide high-power services over Europe for its lifespan of 15 years.

The launch is scheduled for 29 October 2009.