The Eutelsat W2M along with Hot Bird 9 they were thrown last December 20, 2008 from the spatial center of Kourou, in the French Guyana, by a rocket Ariane.

The satellite W2M, constructed by a consortium between EADS-Astrium and the Indian spatial agency (Isro), will allow the feeding of the networks of information and the television programs diffusion towards central and oriental Europe, in addition to towards the islands of the Indian Ocean.

Both satellites are the first ones of a "important program of expansion" that will comprise seven satellites up to ends of 2010, according to Eutelsat, who will have then 664 transpondedores, instead of 501 now.

The W2M will be able to exploit up to 30 repeaters, placed to 16 ° East, for almost 400 chains of television.

The satellite now is in his first tests phases in two transpondedores. The tests will last several days. The Eutelsat W2M will offer service in the bands of the frequencies 10,95-11,7 and 12,5-12,75.

Once there is officially operative the satellite W2M in the final position of 16 ° East, the current Eutelsat W2 will be relocated to the new orbital position of 80th East with the target to give capacity to the possible interests of operators of television of Russia.


(SatCesc, 05/01/09)