Amos-7 to replace Amos-2 and Amos-5; Spacecom announces purchase of Amos-17, the “catalyst for Spacecom’s growth plans over the next decade.”
Israel’s Space Communications, Spacecom, successfully began operating its latest communications satellite, Amos-7, announcing it would purchase an additional satellite from Boeing Satellite Systems International in the near future.
Amos-7 will replace the Amos-2 that was launched in 2003 as well as the Amos-5 that was launched in 2011, Spacecom losing contact with the satellite due to power failure in 2015.
Amos-7 is the latest satellite success following the failure of Amos-6 when the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launcher exploded during a fueling test in Florida in September of 2016.
Spacecom stated that the new satellite will expand and enhance the array of communications, Senior Vice President of Sales, Jacob Keret, stating “Amos-7 creates a stronger presence… Adding further redundancy to our system, the satellite is a key element in expanding our multi-regional growth patterns and enhancing the array of communications – broadcast, broadband and data – that we can provide.”
The new communications satellite will provide services for the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia and will join the Amos-3 and Amos-4, the company releasing the statement “Co-located with Amos-3, Amos-7 is replacing the Amos-2 satellite that is reaching the end of life after servicing customers for over 13 years.”
The satellite has a life expectancy of 15 years and “supports Ku-band steerable and fixed beams, delivering the capacity and frequencies required for a range of advanced broadcast and broadband services” that will provide Direct-To-Home (DTH) TV, Video distribution to cable head-ends, VSAT communications and Broadband Internet.
Spacecom announced it would purchased a new satellite, Amos-17, from Boeing Satellite Systems International at $161 million. The Amos-17 is designed to operate for 15 years and will be a “catalyst for Spacecom’s growth plans over the next decade.”
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