This was the first launch of the year for Arianespace, and also the first Soyuz launch into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) from CSG.

Hispasat 36W-1 is the first satellite built using Europe’s new SmallGEO geostationary platform, developed by OHB System AG of Germany within the scope of the European Space Agency’s ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) program.

With this latest mission, Arianespace continues to deploy its complete family of launchers to support Europe’s innovative space solutions.

First Soyuz geostationary satellite launch from CSG is a success

Capable of launching small geostationary satellites, Soyuz complements the payload capacity of Ariane 5 from the Guiana Space Center. The ability to launch lighter satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), identified right from the start of the program, is now a reality with the launch of Hispasat 36W-1.

Arianespace has another Soyuz GTO launch scheduled in 2017, for the operator SES.

Through these missions, Arianespace clearly confirms the availability and versatility of its launcher family for the benefit of all customers.

A launch for the Spanish satellite communications operator Hispasat

Hispasat 36W-1 is the seventh satellite orbited by Arianespace since 1992 for Hispasat, the Spanish satellite communications operator and leading distributor of Spanish and Portuguese content.

Building on more than 25 years of experience, Hispasat has a strong presence in Iberia and Latin America, where it is the fourth leading satellite operator. Hispasat deploys a fleet of satellites to distribute more than 1,250 television and radio channels, and also plays a key role in the Spanish space industry.

Once in its orbital position, Hispasat 36W-1 will provide a wide range of communications services for continental Europe, the Canary Islands and South America.

Supporting ESA-driven European innovation in space

Hispasat 36W-1 is the first telecommunications satellite built using Europe’s new SmallGEO geostationary platform. Developed by OHB System AG (Germany) under ESA’s ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) program, the SmallGEO platform offers satellite operators an all-European solution in the small telecom satellite market.

By design, it speeds up the production and testing processes, reducing costs and broadening the range of design options.

The satellite features the innovative RedSAT regenerative payload, plus an antenna equipped with a processor, to offer a superior quality signal, as well as fast beam reconfiguration in orbit for optimized utilization.

Shortly after the announcement of the satellite’s orbital injection, Stéphane Israël, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, said: “With this successful first launch of the year, Arianespace is proud of being able to give Hispasat the benefits of our family of launchers, characterized by excellence and versatility. We are very honored by this mark of confidence from Hispasat, for whom we have already orbited seven satellites since 1992. Congratulations to OHB System AG, which built the Hispasat 36W-1 satellite, as well as the European Space Agency, a key partner in the development of the innovative SmallGEO platform. I would also like to thank the Russian space agency Roscosmos for their commitment to our partnership on the Soyuz launcher, which today carried out a first launch into geostationary transfer orbit from CSG. In addition, I would like to thank CNES/CSG, our ground segment companies and all staff at the space center, who continue to work alongside us for new successes. Lastly, congratulations to everybody at Arianespace for this first launch of the year, a success.”

About Arianespace

To use space for a better life on earth, Arianespace guarantees access to space transportation services and solutions for any type of satellite, commercial as well as institutional, into any orbit.

Since 1980, Arianespace has performed missions placing more than 540 satellites into orbit with its three launchers: Ariane, Soyuz and Vega.
Arianespace is headquartered in Evry, France near Paris, and has a facility at the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana, plus local offices in Washington, D.C., Tokyo and Singapore.

Arianespace is a subsidiary of Airbus Safran Launchers, which holds 74% of its share capital; the balance is held by 17 other sharehold-ers from the European launcher industry.