Posted: Fri, Oct 10, 2008, 7:30 AM ET (1130 GMT)
Commercial satellite manufacturer Space Systems/Loral will build a new large communications satellite for a division of satellite operator SES, the companies announced Thursday. SS/Loral will build the Sirius 5 satellite for SES Sirius for launch in the second half in 2011. The spacecraft will be based on SS/Loral's 1300-series of spacecraft and carry a payload of C- and Ku-band transponders. SES will use the Ku-band transponders to provide direct-to-home TV services in Africa, while another SES unit, SES New Skies, will use the C-band transponders for other video and data services.
