Telesat, one of the world's leading satellite operators, has selected EADS Astrium, Europe's largest space company, to build the new Anik F3 satellite.
When it launches in 2006, Telesat's Anik F3 will provide a wide range of telecommunications, broadcasting, business communications and Internet-based services to users across North America. Anik F3 will be Telesat's 17th satellite.
"For thirty-five years, quality and reliability have been the hallmarks of Telesat's services to its customers, and that's what we look for every time we plan a new satellite," said Larry Boisvert, Telesat's president and CEO.
"Anik F3 will be the second Astrium-built satellite in Telesat's fleet, and we look forward to continuing this productive and successful collaboration."
As prime contractor for Anik F3, EADS Astrium will design and build the satellite and supply both the payload and the platform. Canadian industry will supply a significant part of the spacecraft equipment and technology.
This highly advanced satellite will be equipped with 24 active transponders in C-band, 32 in Ku-band and 2 in Ka-band.
Anik F3 will have a launch mass of 4.6 tonnes, a solar array span of 35 metres once deployed in orbit, and spacecraft power of 10 kW at end of life. The satellite, operating in geostationary orbit, will provide commercial services for a minimum of 15 years.
Anik F3 is based on the E3000 version of the highly successful Eurostar communications satellite family that has been ordered by many of the world's major satellite operators.
With the satellite's construction now underway, Telesat is actively marketing the Anik F3 capacity to prospective Canadian users.
