Europe and India are teaming up for a big venture. To provide various services to about half of the world starting in 2008 they are planning to build a new telecommunications satellite. The satellite is named W2M satellite. The agreement to build it would be signed at a Feb. 20 ceremony in New Delhi and it will be attended by the presidents of India and France, Satellite operator Eutelsat informed.
W2M is the first satellite to be built jointly by the Indian Space Research Organization and Europe’s EADS Astrium and Eutelsat will act as prime contractor and also supply the communications payload. With enhanced security features and will have an operational life of 15 years, the payload consists of between 26 and 32 Ku-band transponders.
The three-ton W2M will supply fixed-beam transmission of television and data signals to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The satellite will be placed in orbit at 10 degrees east. To add on to this, it will also have a steerable beam feature that can reach other parts of Africa as well as central Asia.
Via: Physorg
