September 14, 2015
Both satellites will be launched in 2017 and will reinforce the Group's position in Europe and the Americas.
The Spanish operator will once again work with ILS after the launch of Amazonas 1 in 2004 and has chosen SpaceX for the first time to put one of their satellites in orbit.
Paris, September 14, 2015.- In the context of the World Satellite Business Week, organised by Euroconsult, the Spanish satellite communications operator HISPASAT has announced agreements reached with launch service providers ILS and SpaceX to put the satellites Amazonas 5 and Hispasat 1F into orbit. Both satellites will be launched in 2017 and will be an important step for HISPASAT Group in their strategy for growth and expansion, which was initiated with the launch of Amazonas 3 in 2013. Through these agreements, the Spanish operator will once again collaborate with ILS after the launch of Amazonas 1 in 2004, and will for the first time work with SpaceX and their Falcon 9 vehicle.
Hispasat 1F, which will be built on the SSL 1300 satellite platform, will be located at the 30° West orbital position. It will replace Hispasat 1D and provide the Group with additional Ku band capacity for the Andes and Brazil. Moreover, with Hispasat 1F, the Group’s transatlantic capacities for connectivity between Europe and America will increase, and Ka band capacity will be added with European coverage in order for HISPASAT to continue increasing their broadband services in the region.
Like Hispasat 1F, Amazonas 5, which will be located at 61°W, will be built by SSL on its 1300 platform. With this new satellite, the HISPASAT Group will be able to meet the growing satellite capacity demand, mainly for satellite television platforms in Latin America and Brazil. Moreover, it has Ka band capacity to deal with new Internet connectivity services.
In the words of HISPASAT CEO Carlos Espinós, “by putting our Amazonas 5 and Hispasat 1F satellites in orbit, HISPASAT Group will strengthen its position as the leader in the Spanish and Portuguese markets and will be able to satisfy the growing demand for telecommunication services in Europe, America and North Africa. We are certain that the choice of ILS and SpaceX will allow us the flexibility to successfully accomplish these two missions.”
ILS president Kirk Pysher affirmed, “our partnership with HISPASAT dates back over 10 years with the successful launch of HISPASAT’s Amazonas 1 satellite in 2004 on ILS Proton. We are proud that HISPASAT continues to place its trust in us to expand their fleet. ILS and Khrunichev look forward to working with HISPASAT on this important mission.”
“SpaceX is pleased to support the further expansion of HISPASAT’s capabilities on orbit and we look forward to a rewarding partnership launching missions for HISPASAT” said Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX. "
About ILS and Khrunichev
ILS provides launch services for global satellite operators and offers a complete array of services and support, from contract signing through mission management and on-orbit delivery. ILS has the rights to market the Proton and Angara vehicles to commercial satellite operators worldwide and is a U.S. company headquartered in Reston, VA., near Washington, D.C. To date, ILS has launched 90 commercial missions. For more information, visit www.ilslaunch.com.
Khrunichev, which holds the majority interest in ILS, is one of the cornerstones of the Russian space industry. Khrunichev manufactures the Proton system and the Angara family of vehicles. The Proton vehicle launches from facilities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and has a heritage of more than 400 missions since 1965. Khrunichev includes, among its branches, a number of key manufacturers of launch vehicle and spacecraft components in Moscow and in other cities of the Russian Federation. For more information, visit www.khrunichev.com.
About SpaceX
SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches the world's most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets. Today, SpaceX is advancing the boundaries of space technology through its Falcon launch vehicles and Dragon spacecraft. SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Valor Equity Partners. The company has more than 4,000 employees in California, Texas, Washington, D.C., Washington State and Florida. For more information, visit www.spacex.com.
About HISPASAT Group
HISPASAT Group is comprised of companies that have a presence in Spain as well as in Latin America, where its Brazilian affiliate HISPAMAR is based. The Group is a world leader in the distribution and broadcasting of Spanish and Portuguese content, and its satellite fleet is used by important direct-to-home television (DTH) and high-definition television (HDTV) digital platforms. HISPASAT also provides satellite broadband services and other added value solutions to governments, corporations and telecommunication operators in America, Europe and North Africa. HISPASAT is one of the world's largest companies in its sector in terms of revenue, and the main communications bridge between Europe and the Americas.
