SSL Names Their Mystery Client, More Information Now Provided

[SatNews] They had to be tight-lipped—mum’s the word—and all that, but now the reveal…

Space Systems/Loral (SSL), provider of commercial satellites, today named its undisclosed customer for a multi-mission communications satellite announced on July 18, 2013. The satellite is being manufactured for Brazilian satellite operator Star One, a subsidiary of Embratel, a leading telecommunication company from Brazil.

The satellite, named Star One D1, is equipped with C, Ku and Ka-band payloads and will be used for telecommunications, television broadcast, broadband, Internet access and other services such as digital inclusion in Brazil and in the Latin American region. Star One D1 will be the first satellite of Star One´s fourth generation and will  support the Olympic Games in 2016 that will take place in Rio de Janeiro, since Embratel, in a co-participation with Claro, has been selected as the Official Telecommunication Sponsor for this worldwide event.

“We are very pleased to have this opportunity to help Star One provide much needed services that will improve the human experience in Brazil and throughout Latin America,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “This is the second satellite that we are building for Star One, and there is no better endorsement of our success than a customer returning to work with us again. Star One and SSL share a commitment to high quality and reliability and we look forward to continuing our close working relationship.” 

Star One D1 is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 satellite platform that provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications and technology advances.  It will be located at 84 degrees West longitude and is scheduled for launch in early 2016.  The satellite is designed to deliver service for 15 years or more.

“We are glad to announce this new satellite and to increase our presence not only in Brazil but in all Latin America´s region,” said Gustavo Silbert, president of Star One.  “The D1 will help transform the lives of many people in Latin America who currently do not have access to the high speed communications necessary for both economic and social well-being.”