Posted: Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 7:34 AM ET (1134 GMT)
European satellite manufacturer EADS Astrium has won a contract from SES Astra for a new communications satellite. Astrium will build the Astra 1N satellite for SES Astra, with launch of the spacecraft scheduled for 2011. The spacecraft, a Eurostar E3000 model, will carry 55 Ku-band transponders and operate from 19.2 degrees east, primarily serving German, French, and Spanish users. The spacecraft will replace the existing Astra 1G spacecraft at that orbital location, and will join several SES Astra spacecraft that operate in that GEO slot.

Related Links:

•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  EADS Astrium press release