Launch success for THOR 7

Press release
Fornebu
4 minute read
Telenor Satellite Broadcasting today announced the successful launch of its new satellite, THOR 7.
THOR 7 was successfully launched into space on Sunday April 26, 2015 at 20:00 UTC, from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. On board an Ariane 5 launcher (Arianespace flight VA222), the THOR 7 satellite was successfully injected into geostationary transfer orbit approx. 28 minutes after lift-off.

THOR 7, manufactured by Space Systems Loral (SSL), is Telenor Satellite Broadcasting’s first growth satellite and also features its first high-throughput satellite (HTS) Ka-band payload, specifically designed for the mobility VSAT market to provide high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Mediterranean.

“I am delighted to see that THOR 7 has safely reached geostationary transfer orbit and thank both Arianespace and our manufacturing partner SSL for this successful launch”, said Morten Tengs, CEO, Telenor Satellite Broadcasting. “From its 1°West location, the THOR 7 satellite will provide growth capacity for DTH services across Central and Eastern Europe and deliver optimal satellite coverage across Europe’s business shipping lanes for the provision of maritime VSAT services.”

THOR 7 will now undergo extensive in-orbit testing and will be ready to deliver DTH services in six weeks. Additional testing will take place on the HTS Ka-band services with a full commercial service to be ready in Q4, 2015.

Official photo of the launch is available on telenor.com. Additional THOR 7 mission material, including high-resolution images of the launch, will be published at www.telenorsat.com.

Download image of Thor 7 launch

About THOR 7


THOR 7 is Telenor Satellite Broadcasting’s first growth satellite, delivering satellite services for the future expansion requirements of all the markets in which we operate. The satellite is equipped with both a Ku-band and an HTS (High Throughput Satellite) Ka-band payload. The Ku-band payload will be used for TV services in Central and Eastern Europe and the HTS Ka-band payload, a first for TSBc, has been specifically designed for the mobility VSAT market. Additionally, TSBc has pre-sold capacity on THOR 7 to Space Norway – this is a lifetime lease and will provide Norway’s’ Troll research station in Antarctica with increased satellite capacity for the distribution of key meteorological data.

Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc) is a major European satellite provider of broadcast and broadband services for customers in the media, maritime, and oil and gas sectors. Utilising a hybrid network that comprises our satellite fleet, teleports and a terrestrial fibre network, TSBc delivers turnkey broadcasting solutions, end-user connectivity, and application services via satellite throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. From the distribution of digital TV and radio content to millions of European homes to the provision of reliable communications in remote locations on land and at sea, we are committed to keeping our customers connected via satellite. Visit the company’s website at www.telenorsat.com.

Contact


Natasha Keech +44 7740 450 852