Arianespace to Launch Two Yamal Satellites

Arianespace to Launch Two Yamal Satellites

Arianespace has been chosen to launch the two communications satellites, Yamal-401 and Yamal-402 within the scope of a contract between Thales Alenia Space and Russian operator Gazprom.

The launch contract was signed last Friday in Moscow, following the contract signed by Thales Alenia Space and Gazprom for the in-orbit delivery of the satellites . Thales Alenia Space will build these two satellites using Spacebus 4000C3 platforms. They will be orbited by Ariane 5 ECA launchers in the second half of 2011.

Offering a design life exceeding 15 years, the two satellites will provide fixed communications and television transmission services. Yamal-401 will weigh 4,900 kg at launch, and will be equipped with 36 Ku-band and 17 C-band transponders. It will be positioned at 90 degrees East. Yamal-402, weighing
4,800 kg at launch, will have 46 Ku-band transponders and be positioned at 55 degrees East.