Built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), XTAR-EUR entered service in April 2005. The satellite carries 12 72 MHz, high-power X-band transponders that provide coverage from Eastern Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean, across all of Europe, Africa and the Middle East to as far east as Singapore. XTAR-EUR is expected to provide service for nearly 20 years. Upon the launch of SPAINSAT in early 2006, XTAR will lease eight 72 MHz X-band transponders on the satellite, to be designated XTAR-LANT, in order to provide greater flexibility and additional X-band services.

The XTAR-EUR satellite features traditional global beams as well as onboard switching and multiple steerable beams, enabling users access to X-band capacity as they travel anywhere within the footprint of the satellite. XTAR-EUR is designed to work with existing X-band terminals, as well as next-generation X-band terminals that employ antennas smaller than 2.4 meters.

XTAR LLC, with headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, is a joint venture between Loral Space & Communications and HISDESAT. HISDESAT Servicios Estrategicos S.A. is a Spanish company with headquarters in Madrid. Loral Space & Communications, a satellite communications company, has its headquarters in New York City.

RSS    Save to Del.icio.us  Digg This