Posted: Tue, Dec 6, 2005, 7:32 AM ET (1232 GMT)
Alcatel Alenia Space announced Monday that is has won a contract to build a large communications satellite for China. Alcatel will build the Chinasat 6B satellite for China Satellite Communication Corporation (ChinaSatcom) for launch in 2007. The satellite, a Spacebus 4000 C2 model, will weigh 4,600 kg at launch and carry 38 C-band transponders. The satellite will be launched on a Long March 3B booster and located in GEO at 115.5 degrees east and will be dedicated to television broadcasting. The satellite will not use any US-made components so that Alcatel can export the satellite to China and avoid US export control restrictions. This is the fourth so-called "ITAR-free" satellite that Alcatel has built either for Chinese customers or for launch by China.

Related Links:

•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  Alcatel press release