ABS-2 Satellite Successfully Launched from Kourou, French Guiana

KOUROU, French Guiana, Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ABS announces that the ABS-2 satellite was successfully launched into space at 18:30 Kourou (9:30pm UTC).   The satellite was launched on an Ariane ECA launch vehicle from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Space port in Kourou. 

ABS-2 was manufactured by Space Systems/Loral (SSL). It is a highly sophisticated multi-mission satellite, featuring up to 89 active C, Ku and Ka-band transponders across 10 different beams.  ABS-2 brings unparalleled coverage and expansion capacity at ABS' prime location of 75 degrees East, extending affordable and reliable communications and broadcast services to the emerging markets of the world.

"We are delighted with the launch of ABS-2 satellite, our first satellite launch. We would like to thank both Arianespace and SSL for their collaboration for delivering today's successful launch," said Tom Choi, CEO of ABS.  "Our customers are looking forward to the new capacity on ABS-2 at 75E, a new state of the art satellite serving the Eastern hemisphere.  The ABS-2 satellite will significantly contribute towards our expansion plans and is part of our growth strategy to increase the ABS satellite fleet and and becoming a global satellite operator in the coming years."

"We would like to express our pride this evening following the successful launch of ABS-2," said Stephane Israel, Chairman & CEO of Arianespace. "We are focused on delivering high-quality launch services to commercial satellite operators worldwide and being entrusted by ABS for its first launch contract is a great honor for us.  Congratulations also to Space Systems/Loral. It is a great privilege to work with such an experienced and proven team, a leader in the comsat market."

"Many thanks to ABS and Arianespace for working closely with us to make the launch of ABS-2 a success," said John Celli, president of SSL.  "A satellite launch is the culmination of collaboration, hard work and relentless focus on quality.  ABS-2 is a very advanced satellite that has the capability to improve the human experience in multiple regions of the world."

About ABS
ABS is a young, dynamic and fast growing global satellite operator, with an entrepreneurial and creative business approach. ABS offers a range of tailored solutions including Direct-to-Home, Cable TV distribution, Cellular Backhaul, VSAT and Internet Backbone services with diverse IP transit through its European, African, Middle East and Asian internet gateways. 

ABS operates five satellites (ABS-1, ABS-1A, ABS-2i, ABS-3 and ABS-7) from 3 premium locations at 3°W, 75°E and 116°E.  Its sixth satellite - ABS-2 was successfully launched today.  Located at 75˚East and fitted with 89 C, Ku, and Ka-band transponders, it will provide broadcasting, telecommunications and data services for Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Russia/CIS countries.

ABS has also ordered two Boeing 702SP satellites (ABS-3A & ABS-2A planned for 2014 and 2015 respectively) with the options to add more satellites over the next 2-3 years to its growing satellite fleet.

SOURCE Arianespace