OTTAWA – The recently-launched Anik F1R satellite is now carrying television signals, announced its owner, Telesat, today.
“The new satellite provides valuable broadcasting and telecommunications capacity for Canadians, including direct to home satellite television,” says today’s press release.
Anik F1R also carries a navigation payload that enhances the global positioning system used in aviation across Canada and the United States.
"With Anik F1R, Telesat continues its long tradition of developing and delivering the most advanced satellite applications and services," said Larry Boisvert, Telesat’s president and CEO. "Whether it’s the entertainment we watch on TV, or the health and safety information used in public services, Telesat satellites carry services that benefit millions of people every day."
Telesat’s major customers, including CTV, CHUM Television and CBC, will use Anik F1R to deliver broadcasting services from coast to coast. The satellite will also play a key role in Star Choice’s national direct-to-home satellite television service, says Telesat.
Telesat’s Anik F1R payload consists of 32 Ku-band transponders, 24 C-band transponders, and two navigation transponders. Anik F1R, co-located with Telesat’s Anik F1 satellite, operates from the orbital position at 107.3 degrees West Longitude. Telesat will transfer its existing North American traffic from Anik F1 to Anik F1R, allowing Anik F1 to focus exclusively on service to South America. Anik F1R has an estimated mission life of 15 years.
Manufactured by EADS Astrium, Telesat’s Anik F1R is the company’s first European-built satellite. The satellite was launched September 9, 2005 on a Proton/Breeze M rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Republic of Kazakhstan. It was Telesat’s sixteenth successful satellite launch.
