HISPASAT signs with OHB and THALES ALENIA SPACE the contracts for the development of the Small GEO mission

30 June 2009 

HISPASAT signed a contract in Paris with the German company OHB-System AG, for the construction of the platform and the integration of the new Hispasat AG1 (Small GEO).  It also signed an agreement with Thales Alenia Space España for the development of the advanced telecommunications payload REDSAT that will be onboard the satellite whose launch into orbit is planned for 2012. 

The ceremony, which was held at the International Aeronautics and Space Exhibition that took place this week in Le Bourget, marks a new advance in the Small GEO mission, promoted by the European Space Agency (ESA) within the ARTES 11 programme, which has as its goal the development, validation and launch into orbit of an innovative platform for reduced size geostationary satellites, capable of satisfying the increasingly demanding requirements of satellite communications. 

For the Executive Chairman of HISPASAT, Petra Mateos “for HISPASAT, the signing of these contracts with two high technological European companies represents a new example of the commitment of this company to contribute with its satellites to the development of the Spanish and European aerospace industry.  In addition, this project brings the satisfaction of participating in an innovative technological project in the international arena with which Europe strengthens its space leadership in the development of reduced size geostationary satellites”.  Thanks to the development of this new satellite, HISPASAT takes the lead in the initiatives promoted by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the development and commercial exploitation of innovative commercial communications payloads with which it will be possible to introduce new communications services for the development of products and services in the area of Direct-To-Home (DTH) platforms, broadband and high definition television (HDTV). 

The HISPASAT AG-1 includes the next generation REDSAT onboard processing payload, designed and manufactured by Thales Alenia Space España, based on the prior experience of the Amerhis system embarked upon the Amazonas satellites as well as an active antenna of reconfigurable beams, made by EADS CASA Espacio.  These systems allow HISPASAT to use the satellite´s power in a more agile and efficient way, substantially increasing its transmission capacity with the subsequent reduction in communications costs.  The new satellite will allow the company to consolidate its position in the regenerative digital onboard processing arena, while at the same time demonstrating its firm support of collaborations that lead to advances in the space telecommunications sector.   

The HISPASAT AG-1, with an estimated minimum lifetime of 15 years, will bring to HISPASAT modern and competitive communications capacity, both in the traditional area of space capacity leasing, as well as in that related to technological innovation projects, strengthening HISPASAT´s position as an international reference in the sector and spearhead in the technological development of new satellite communications solutions. 

Its 20 transponders in Ku and Ka frequencies will supply a wide array of communications services.  Along with the participation of Thales Alenia Space España and EADS-CASA Espacio, for the development of the Small GEO mission, HISPASAT has the collaboration of Spain´s Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (CDTI) in the development of innovation programmes in the aerospace field. 

Ku band coverage extends over the Iberian Peninsula and include the Balearic and Canary Islands, Madeira and Azores, the rest of Europe, north Africa and America, from Alaska to Tierra de Fuego.  The Ka band will provide coverage over the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands and the Canary archipelago.   

HISPASAT is now the seventh company in the world by revenue and leader in the broadcast and distribution of content in Spanish and Portuguese, with more than 1,100 radio and television channels, including the content of important digital platforms of DTH television, in Europe as well as America.  In the 2008 fiscal year, the company, with net consolidated profit of 47 million euros and a Net Debt / EBITDA of 0.7, has broken a new historic record for the fifth year in a row in all its financial magnitudes.