Arabsat-6B readies for launch

[apdies]

Arianespace in French Guiana has received Arabsat’s latest satellite, 6B, as well as India’s GSAT-15, which are both now being integrated into an Ariane-5 rocket. The launch will take place as Flight VA227, the sixth launch of this year by an Ariane-5 and scheduled to take place early in November.

Arabsat-6B is being orbited in the framework of a turnkey contract between Airbus Defence and Space, along with Thales Alenia Space, and operator Arabsat. Once operational, the approximately 6,100-kgs craft will provide extra TV and telecoms services for the MENA and Africa regions.

India’s Indian Space Research Organisation national space agency developed the GSAT-15 spacecraft, which will have a mass of some 3,150 kgs and deliver C- and Ku-band telecoms services.