Astrium delivers Telesat’s Anik F3 satellite in orbit

Telesat’s Anik F3 satellite has completed in-orbit tests at the 118.7°W orbital slot and has now entered commercial service. The satellite was formally handed over to Telesat by satellite manufacturer Astrium Satellites on 30 April 2007, just three weeks after launch. Operating 24 active transponders in C-band, 32 in Ku-band and a small payload in Ka-band, Anik F3 will provide valuable broadcasting, telecommunications, business communications and Internet-based services.

The Astrium Satellites team in Toulouse took control and began operating the Anik F3 satellite following its launch by an ILS Proton Breeze M vehicle which lifted off from Baikonur on 9 April at 22:54 UTC. The satellite arrived in geostationary orbit on 16 April and, after full deployment of its 36m wingspan solar array and three antenna reflectors, began in-orbit platform tests, swiftly followed by comprehensive payload tests at the 118.7°W orbital location. On completion of in-orbit tests, Telesat officially took possession of its new satellite and commenced transferring North American traffic to it.

Anik F3, the 33rd Eurostar to be launched, is the second of two Anik spacecraft ordered by Telesat from EADS Astrium. The first one, Anik F1R, was launched in September 2005. For Telesat, Astrium Satellites is also building the Nimiq 4 broadcast satellite, which will be launched in 2008.