Eutelsat Communications’ ATLANTIC BIRD 7 satellite was successfully launched into orbit by a Zenit-3SL rocket operated by Sea Launch AG from the ocean-based Odyssey Launch Platform in international waters of the Pacific Ocean.
ATLANTIC BIRD 7, which will be located at 7 degrees West, will deliver Arabic and international channels into almost 30 million satellite homes across North Africa and the Middle East. ATLANTIC BIRD 7 will assume broadcasting of the 370 digital and High-Definition channels currently being delivered from this position by Eutelsat’s ATLANTIC BIRD™ 4A satellite. The new satellite offers up to 50 transponders, 11 more than ATLANTIC BIRD 4A.
Following ATLANTIC BIRD 7’s entry into service, ATLANTIC BIRD™ 4A will be redeployed to an alternative location where it will remain in full commercial service.
For Sea Launch, the successful mission marks its return to service following its corporate reorganization last year.
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