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AMOS-17 satellite ready for production

Staff Writer
By Staff Writer, ITWeb
Johannesburg, 06 Nov 2017
The AMOS-17 satellite's in-orbit life is expected to be 19 years.
The AMOS-17 satellite's in-orbit life is expected to be 19 years.

Spacecom, operator of the AMOS satellite fleet, announced today that its AMOS-17 communication satellite has successfully completed its critical design review and entered full production.

The satellite is specifically designed for the African continent and scheduled for launch in early 2019. AMOS-17 will operate from 17^0E to expand and strengthen Spacecom's coverage in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

"It will offer extensive Ka-band, Ku-band and C-Band HTS services, combining broad regional beams and high throughput spot beams to maximise throughput and spectral efficiency. The satellite's in-orbit life is expected to be 19 years," the group says.

Boeing Satellite Systems International is building the satellite and SpaceX will send it into orbit on a Falcon-9 launch vehicle.

"AMOS-17, equipped with latest generation digital payload, represents the most advanced satellite over Africa and further delivers on our long-term commitment to the African market. This satellite will bring multi-band high-throughput technologies to deliver unique service capabilities not possible on traditional satellites," says David Pollack, president and CEO of Spacecom.

"We are introducing cutting-edge satellite technology to Africa...AMOS-17 will advance our support in creating a digital Sub-Sahara Africa society," he adds.

Spacecom is the operator of the AMOS-3, AMOS-4 and AMOS-7 satellites. It provides broadcast and communication services to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia via direct-to-home and direct broadcast satellite operators, Internet service providers, telecom operators, network integrators and government agencies.

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