Norwegian satellite THOR 6 successfully launched

THOR 6 payload installation on Ariane 5 launcher. Photo courtesy of Telenor.

Norway’s Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc) has announced that its new satellite, THOR 6, has been successfully launched into orbit by the Ariane 5 ECA launcher from the European Spaceport in South America.

THOR 6 will replace the current Thor III satellite, which is set to retire in 2010, as well as provide additional capacity for expansion.

THOR 6, Telenor’s latest satellite, will provide high power direct-to-home (DTH) television services from the 1° West orbital position. It is based on Thales Alenia Spacebus 4000B2 platform and fitted with 36 Ku-band transponders. 16 transponders will point to the Nordic countries and 20 transponders will be positioned to serve the growing broadcasting demands within Central and Eastern Europe.

With the launch of THOR 6, 1 degree west will have a total of 71 transponders, providing capacity to facilitate both organic growth and expansion for Telenor Satellite Broadcasting.

“The launch of THOR 6 will further strengthen TSBc’s position in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) providing much needed expansion capacity to 1 degree west, which already services over 15 million TV households throughout the Nordics and CEE region,” said Cato Halsaa, Vice President and CEO of Telenor Satellite Broadcasting.

”It will also provide additional capacity in the Nordic region, where we continue to see a growth in HDTV requirements,” he said.

The satellite, which cost a total of NOK 1.3 billion, will provide 15 million households in the Nordic countries and Eastern Europe with TV coverage. It has a life expectancy of 15 years.

For further information about THOR 6 click here