Eutelsat W3C satellite, courtesy of Thales Alenia Space
The W3C satellite, built for Eutelsat by Thales Alenia Space, is set for launch on Friday October 7th by a Long March 3BE rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre (China). Lift-off is planned for 08:20 GMT, 10:20 CET. Scheduled to enter service at 16 degrees East in November this year, W3C will replace Eutelsat’s EUROBIRD™ 16, W2M and SESAT 1 satellites. Through its configuration of 53 Ku- and three Ka- transponders, the satellite will provide capacity for broadcasting and telecom/data services. High-power footprints of Central Europe and Indian Ocean islands will support digital video broadcasting markets while coverage of Africa stretching from Senegal to South Africa will serve data and telecom markets.