AmerHis represents a new service in space and the first multimedia system in worldwide communications. The AmerHis payload will fly on the Hispasat satellite Amazonas in 2004 where it will work like a switchboard, enabling the operator, Hispasat, to provide interactive satellite services such as high-speed Internet access, MPEG-based services, video and radio on demand.
By offering bi-directional communications via satellite, AmerHis, will offer more and better services to customers.
Interconnection with the different terrestrial communication networks which control the satellite's capacity will also make it more efficient.
The agreement to allow the development to go ahead was signed at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands on 11 October 2002 between Claudio Mastracci, Director of Applications in ESA and Luis Garcia Echegoyen, General Manager of Alcatel Espacio, the Spanish subsidiary of Alcatel Space.
"This program is a model for ESA, profitable for everyone, the agency, the industry and the operator and it will also be good for business and the users, furthermore it is a good symbol of cooperation in Europe for satellite communications," said Claudio Mastracci.
Luis Echegoyen comments, "… thanks to ESA a new idea in satcom will come true. AmerHis is also a challenge because it has to be done on a very tight schedule, quite unusual in the space field but in the end it will meet the needs of its users".
This ambitious project will mark a new era in the building of communication satellites thanks to the ESA initiative; well supported by the Spanish Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI).
The multinational consortium led by Alcatel Espacio comprises Alcatel Space from France, Mier Comunicaciones and Indra Espacio from Spain, EMS Technologies from Canada and Nera from Norway.
The value of the system is EUR 56 million of which ESA's contribution is EUR 28 million. Delivery of AmerHis is planned for mid 2004.
