Telenor launches THOR 7-satellite

NEW DELHI: THOR 7, Telenor Satellite Broadcasting’s first growth satellite, was successfully launched into space from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.

THOR 7 satellite will provide growth capacity for DTH services across Central and Eastern Europe and deliver optimal satellite coverage across Europe’s business shipping lanes for the provision of maritime VSAT services.

The satellite was successfully injected into geostationary transfer orbit approx 28 minutes after lift-off. The THOR 7 will deliver satellite services for the future expansion requirements of all the markets.

It is equipped with both a Ku-band and an HTS (High Throughput Satellite) Ka-band payload. The Ku-band payload will be used for TV services in Central and Eastern Europe and the HTS Ka-band payload, a first for TSBc, has been specifically designed for the mobility VSAT market.

Additionally, TSBc has pre-sold capacity on THOR 7 to Space Norway – this is a lifetime lease and will provide Norway’s’ Troll research station in Antarctica with increased satellite capacity for the distribution of key meteorological data.

"I am delighted to see that THOR 7 has safely reached geostationary transfer orbit and thank both Arianespace and our manufacturing partner SSL for this successful launch”, said Morten Tengs, CEO, Telenor Satellite Broadcasting.

The THOR 7 will now undergo extensive in-orbit testing and will be ready to deliver DTH services in six weeks. Additional testing will take place on the HTS Ka-band services with a full commercial service to be ready in Q4, 2015.