Artist's concept of Anik F2 in orbit. Photo: Hughes

Telesat, the world's most experienced commercial satellite operator, has selected Arianespace to launch Anik F2, the largest telecommunications satellite ever sent into space. The two companies signed the launch contract in Venice, Italy, with the launch targeted for late 2002.

Anik F2 is the fifth satellite that the European launcher will boost into orbit for Canada, following Anik E2 in April 1991, Anik E1 in September 1991, MSAT 1 in April 1996 and Anik F1, scheduled for launch this summer.

"Anik F2 will provide important capacity for North American customers with telecommunications, broadcast and multimedia needs." said Larry Boisvert, Telesat's President and CEO. "Anik F2 is also a very important project for Telesat, and we have great confidence in Arianespace, our partner on so many successful launches in the past."

Based on the new HS 702 platform, built by Hughes Space and Communications in El Segundo, California, Anik F2 will weigh about 5,900 kilograms at liftoff (12,980 lb.). It will be equipped with three communications bands consisting of 24 transponders in C-band, 32 transponders in Ku-band and an advanced Ka-band payload with 45 spot beams allowing digital communications between small terminals and one of six Internet-connected gateway stations. Coverage in all bands is North America-wide.

Anik F2 will be positioned at 111 deg. West with a service life designed to exceed 15 years. Anik F2 is targeted for launch in late 2002, when an Ariane 5 will boost it into orbit from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

"Our contract with Telesat illustrates the competitiveness and adaptability of the Ariane launch system," noted Jean-Marie Luton, chairman and CEO of Arianespace. "Thanks to Ariane 5, we are now capable of launching satellites as large as Anik F2. Our competitiveness is based on a number of key advantages, including reliability, availability and lift capacity in terms of both mass and volume."

With this contract, Arianespace now has a backlog of 40 satellites to be launched. It has signed a total of 211 launch contracts to date.