EUTELSAT 65 West A will be the 31st Eutelsat satellite launched by Arianespace since the Eutelsat-1 F1 satellite was orbited in June 1983.
Eutelsat is one of the world’s leading operators of communications satellites. The company provides capacity on 40 satellites to clients that include broadcasters and broadcasting associations, pay-TV operators, video, data and Internet service providers, enterprises and government agencies.
Including EUTELSAT 65 West A, Arianespace will have carried out more than half of this major operator’s launches. Eutelsat is one of Arianespace’s largest commercial customers.
EUTELSAT 65 West A is a tri-band satellite targeting Latin American and Brazilian markets with the highest growth potential.
The satellite’s Ku-band coverage will spur the growth of DTH (Direct to Home) TV for households equipped with dish antennas to receive digital and HD (high-definition) channels. It will also boost the connectivity of business located in Central America, the Caribbean, the Andes region and in Brazil.
Its broad C-band transatlantic coverage is designed to provide contribution links and video distribution services. Furthermore, its Ka-band multibeam payload will help the operator develop Internet access services throughout Latin America, especially in Brazil.
Arianespace’s launch manifest includes three more Eutelsat satellites to be launched.
Built by SSL of Palo Alto, California using a 1300 platform, EUTELSAT 65 West A is the 53rd GEO platform built by SSL (and predecessor companies) to be orbited by Arianespace.
Arianespace has 12 more SSL satellites to be launched.