Telenor's new satellite, THOR 5, successfully launched
The satellite was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12.34 (CET), on 11 February and the launch was declared a success after the satellite separated as planned from the Proton Breeze M launch vehicle at 21.56 (CET) the same day.
"I was delighted to see THOR 5 successfully being launched", said Cato Halsaa, CEO of Telenor Satellite Broadcasting. "I would like to thank our partners, Orbital, for carrying out the entire THOR 5 mission programme and ILS, for performing a successful launch.
Additional broadcasting services in Europe
The THOR 5 satellite will now go through extensive in-orbit testing before it is brought into its final geo-stationary position at 1 degree West and commence operating commercial services. From the1 degree West position, THOR 5 will carry all broadcasting services which currently reside on Thor II and provide additional capacity to allow growth in the Nordic region and expansion into Central and Eastern Europe.
First satellite in the replacement and expansion programme
THOR 5 is the first new satellite to be launched in Telenor Satellite Broadcasting's replacement and expansion programme for satellites, which has a total investment frame of 2.5 billion NOK (close to 470 million USD). With the completion of the programme, Telenor will have doubled its satellite capacity on 1 degree west, facilitating both organic growth and expansion for Telenor.
Increasing need for high powered capacity
"The satellite replacement and expansion programme demonstrates Telenor's commitment to the satellite industry and our firm belief that satellites will continue to play an important role as a distribution platform for TV entertainment", says Cato Halsaa, CEO of Telenor Satellite Broadcasting. "Driven by HDTV, new niche channels, and the expansion within emerging markets, the need for high powered capacity is increasing, and with our new satellites, we will be able to support the future growth requirements of our customers in Europe".
Multimedia footage and background material
Background material, with fact sheets and multimedia footage, may be accessed through our Broadcast room (user account/registration required for download) Additional THOR 5 mission material including high resolution images of the launch will also be published at www.telenorsbc.com .
More information, please contact:
Glenn Mandelid
Director Communications
Telenor Broadcast
Phone: (+47) 92 66 13 00
E-mail: glenn.mandelid@telenor.com
About Telenor Broadcast Holding
Telenor Satellite Broadcasting is part of Telenor Broadcast, one of the three core businesses of Norway's leading communications operator, Telenor ASA. Telenor Satellite Broadcasting provides extensive television broadcasting services for distribution, contribution and occasional applications to all the Nordic Broadcasters and many other broadcasters throughout Europe, using its hybrid network comprised of (three) satellites, terrestrial circuits and earth stations. Additionally, it provides fixed satellite communication and uplinking services for data and remote Internet applications together with VSAT and broadband services in Europe and the Middle East. Visit the company's website at www.telenorsbc.com .
About THOR 5
THOR 5 is based on Orbital's STAR 2 satellite platform. THOR 5 will provide Ku-band fixed telecommunications and direct-to-home television broadcasting services from Telenor's 1 degree West Longitude orbital location. THOR 5 will have 24 transponders with three times more payload power (3.6 kilowatts payload power) compared to the current THOR II satellite, which it will replace. THOR 5 will weigh approximately 1,960 kg at launch and will improve Telenor's service coverage in the Nordic countries and Europe. The total investment frame for THOR 5 is 1.2 bn NOK including satellite launch, insurance, upgrading of ground systems and project costs.