Arianespace will launch the Galaxy 35 and Galaxy 36 satellites together as a stacked pair in 2022, and Galaxy 37 in 2023.
Fleet operator Intelsat has signed an agreement with commercial launch services provider Arianespace for two launches of three satellites, Galaxy 35, Galaxy 36 and Galaxy 37, on Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 launch vehicles.
Arianespace will launch the Galaxy 35 and Galaxy 36 satellites together as a stacked pair in 2022, and Galaxy 37 in 2023. Both launches will be performed from Europes Spaceport in South America aboard an Ariane 5 and Ariane 64 launch vehicle, respectively.
All three satellites will operate in the upper portion of the C-band spectrum, a range of wireless radio frequencies that is used for critical telecommunications and data connectivity around the world.
With this mission, Intelsat will meet the accelerated C-band spectrum clearing timelines established by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this year, in order to make the lower portion of the C-band spectrum available to mobile network operators to further the rollout of critical 5G services.
Maxar Technologies will build the three satellites, all using Maxars industry-leading 1300-class platform, in its manufacturing facility in Palo Alto, California.
Commenting on the development, Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace, said: We couldnt be more thrilled to sign this agreement to launch three payloads for Intelsat. It is a profound honour to see the perpetuation of this deep and lasting relationship with Intelsat while enabling the roll-out of 5G in the US. We are all the more honoured that Intelsat has opted for an Ariane 6 vehicle for the first time.
Intelsat looks forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with Arianespace to launch these satellites, which are critical to accelerating the clearing of the C-Band spectrum and ensuring the US maintains its leadership in 5G and other advanced telecommunications technologies, added Mike DeMarco, the Chief Services Officer of Intelsat.
