Alcatel to build U.S. telecom satellite

PARIS, April 25 (UPI) -- Alcatel has received a contract for assembly of a new telecom satellite for U.S. operators SES AMERICOM that will begin service in 2008.

The French-built AMC-21 satellite will transmit programming from the U.S. Public Broadcasting Corp. in the United States -- including Alaska and Hawaii -- as well as the Caribbean.

The spacecraft will be fitted with 24 Ku-band transponders and 6 kilowatts of operating power. It will have an operational life of 16 years at an orbital position of 125 degrees West, Alcatel said.

Orbital Sciences will provide the STAR-2 GEO spacecraft platform.