An artist's concept of e-BIRD in space. Photo: Boeing

EUTELSAT, the 48-member European Satellite Telecommunications Organization, has signed a contract for a broadband communications satellite from Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. (BSS).

The Paris-based organization is a new customer for BSS, and the order is a major milestone. BSS is the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a unit of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA).

The satellite, to be known as e-BIRD, is a spin-stabilized Boeing 376 HP, the world's most reliable satellite model. Thanks to the short manufacturing cycle of the Boeing 376, e-BIRD is scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2002.

"We are extremely proud that EUTELSAT has selected BSS to deliver e-BIRD," said Tig H. Krekel, president of Boeing Satellite Systems. "This is a tremendous market breakthrough for us and an endorsement of our ability to deliver reliable, world-class technology on a demanding schedule. Clearly our commercial business is moving full speed ahead in 2001 following a very solid year 2000 for BSS."

The satellite is slated for an orbital slot at 25.5 degrees East longitude. There, e-BIRD will provide capacity optimized for Internet protocol (IP) access networks with satellite return link capabilities via its payload of 20 active Ku-band transponders that will be connected to four spot beams over the European region. The satellite will have a contracted service life of 10 years.

"The rapid procurement of e-BIRD supports EUTELSAT's strategy to be an active player in fully interactive satellite networks where we believe there are tremendous opportunities for growth," said EUTELSAT Director General Giuliano Berretta. "We are very pleased to have concluded negotiations with The Boeing Company and to be breaking new ground with a skillfully designed satellite that is optimized for broadband access."

To date BSS has received orders for 57 Boeing 376 spacecraft, making it second in commercial popularity only to another BSS model, the Boeing 601. The 55th Boeing 376 spacecraft to be built was launched successfully on Dec. 19, 2000.

As one of the world's leading satellite operators, Paris-based EUTELSAT enables TV and radio broadcasters, Internet service providers, telecommunications companies and corporations to transmit and receive content throughout Europe and Africa, large parts of Asia and the Americas. EUTELSAT was the first operator in Europe to deliver Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) consumer television and today broadcasts 850 channels to 84 million satellite and cable homes, making it one of the largest TV offers to one of the largest audiences in the world.

EUTELSAT is currently extending its potential in the broadband environment through alliances and other forms of industry collaboration. With an active launch program over the next 24 months that includes the addition of substantial new capacity on seven satellites, EUTELSAT is reinforcing in-orbit security and service continuity for an expanding client base in business-to-business and business-to-consumer communications.

BSS is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites and a major provider of space systems, satellites and payloads for national defense, science and environmental applications.

The Boeing Company, with headquarters in Seattle, is the largest aerospace company in the world and the United States' leading exporter. It is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, and the largest NASA contractor. The company's capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. The company has an extensive global reach with customers in 145 countries and manufacturing operations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia.