The SES SIRIUS 4 communications satellite was successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Proton/Breeze M launch vehicle by International Launch Services (ILS).
SIRIUS 4, which was designed and built by Lockheed Martin, will provide direct-to-home broadcast and interactive services across Scandinavia, Europe and Africa. It features 46 active Ku-band high-power transponders in the BSS and FSS frequency band. In addition, it is equipped with an active Ka-band transponder for interactive applications in the Nordic and Baltic regions. The spacecraft is equipped with a sub-Sahara African beam to complement existing coverage of Africa, which is accomplished using six additional active Ku-band FSS transponders. Additionally, there is an interconnect payload that connects Africa and Europe with a second Ka-band transponder.
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