Telenor Satellite Broadcasting’s giant Thor-7 satellite is being shipped from its Space Systems/Loral production facility in the next few days and flown to the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. There it will go through final testing, and fuelling, ahead of a launch by an Arianespace rocket.
Thor-7 was designed with up to 25 simultaneously active Ka-band spot beams and a steerable beam for flexibility in meeting changing market requirements. Its Ku-band payload includes 11 transponders, which will enable expanded services in the region as well as back-up to ensure uninterrupted service.
“The satellite built by SSL will deliver a very bandwidth efficient and flexible service for major shipping routes and recreational vessels,” said Morten Tengs, VP/CEO of Telenor Satellite Broadcasting. “With the launch of Thor-7, our growth satellite, we look forward to further extending our position in the market and expanding our European coverage.”
Thor-7 is a multi-mission satellite equipped with Telenor’s first high performance Ka-band payload, designed to serve the maritime market. The HTS Ka-band payload on Thor-7, designed specifically for the mobility VSAT market, will provide cost-effective solutions and offer high powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. The satellite also has a Ku-band payload for broadcast and television services in Central and Eastern Europe.
When launched, Thor-7 will be positioned at 1 degree West longitude and is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.
This may spell trouble for us that enjoy 1w if they decide to narrow that spot beam and move some of the more popular tp's over to this new bird