Posted: Thu, Sep 8, 2011, 8:10 AM ET (1210 GMT)
An Ariane 5 will launch a new communications satellite for Spanish company Hispasat in 2013, the companies announced Wednesday. Arianespace will launch the Amazonas-3 for Hispasat in late 2012 or early 2013 according to the contract announced Wednesday; terms of the deal were not disclosed. Amazonas-3 is being built by Space Systems/Loral and will weigh about 6,000 kilograms at launch. The satellite, carrying a mix of C-, Ka-, and Ku-band transponders, will replace the existing Amazonas-1 satellite at 61 degrees west in GEO.

Related Links:

•  Space News article
•  Arianespace press release