NSS-8, a powerful Boeing 702 satellite, is shown orbiting Earth in this artist's concept. Photo: Boeing

New Skies Satellites N.V. has ordered from Boeing a power-house communications spacecraft with 88 transponders that will provide a wide-range of television, internet and multi-media services across the Americas. Sea Launch has been tapped to loft the craft in 2003.

Under the contract announced Wednesday, Boeing Satellite Systems will build the NSS-8 spacecraft and deliver it in orbit for New Skies, the satellite operator formed through the partial privatization of Intelsat. The agreement also has options for two further craft to be manufactured.

From New Skies' unfilled orbital slot at 105 degrees West above the equator in geostationary orbit, the NSS-8 satellite will deliver services that include broadcast television, Internet, multimedia and corporate data transmission for the company's customers in the Western Hemisphere. Other users will include point-to-multipoint distribution of video to cable headends throughout the Americas.

The satellite will be based upon Boeing's 702-model spacecraft. BSS has so far launched four of these satellites and has a total of 20 on order, including 12 firm orders and eight options.

"The Boeing 702 is the most powerful satellite commercially available today and draws on a long and distinguished history in satellite manufacturing," said Robert W. Ross, New Skies chief executive officer. "New Skies is delighted to add this state-of-the-art platform to its growing worldwide fleet of communications satellites."

"We are extremely pleased to welcome New Skies Satellites into the family of BSS customers," said Randy Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems. "By purchasing the Boeing 702, New Skies has opted for the ultimate in power and capability. This is a strategic new win for us, and NSS-8 will be a great match for New Skies' needs at this important new orbital slot."

NSS-8's payload will include 88 total operational transponders, with 46 in C-band, 42 in Ku-band and 16 spares. Four 25-cm xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS) thrusters, built by Boeing Electron Dynamic Devices Inc., will perform orbit raising and stationkeeping duties. Advanced triple-junction gallium arsenide solar panels, built by Boeing subsidiary Spectrolab Inc., will deliver 17 kilowatts of total spacecraft power.

New Skies, with headquarters in Hague, The Netherlands, currently has five satellites working in orbit today. Two additional craft are under construction, one due for launch in late 2001 over the Atlantic Ocean Region and the second in late 2002 over Asia.

For its ride into space, NSS-8 will be carried aloft by a Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket from a floating platform in the Pacific Ocean.

"The Sea Launch team is pleased to team with BSS in providing delivery-in-orbit services to New Skies Satellites," said Will Trafton, president of Sea Launch. "The demonstrated reliability of the Sea Launch system, coupled with launch assurance and flexibility, were key factors in this major procurement."