Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has been awarded a contract to provide a multi-mission spacecraft for Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc).

The satellite, THOR 7, will include Telenor's first Ka-band payload, which will be used for maritime broadband services. It also includes a Ku-band payload for expanded broadcast capacity in Central and Eastern Europe.

"Space Systems/Loral's high power capability and broad experience with Ka-band satellites was significant in our decision to choose this manufacturer," said Cato Halsaa, vice president and CEO of TSBc. "The ongoing proliferation of video content both on television and the Internet, assures the role of satellite around the world, and THOR 7 will help us support this growing demand in our regions."

THOR 7 will be positioned, together with the existing THOR fleet, at 1 degree West. Based on SS/L's highly reliable 1300 satellite platform, it will be equipped with 11 Ku-band transponders, dedicated to expanded broadcast services in Europe and additional Ku-band capacity for back-up.

The Ka-band payload will be used to meet the growing demand for high-bandwidth broadband communications by the maritime industry and includes spot beams over the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Red Sea, Baltic Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Mediterranean.

"We are very pleased to have the opportunity to apply our extensive experience with multi-mission satellites and Ka-band communications to this new satellite for Telenor Satellite Broadcasting," said John Celli, president of Space Systems/Loral.

"Our companies share a similar vision of the benefits of satellite communications for entertainment, economic improvement, and other vital services. We appreciate Telenor's confidence in our company to deliver this important satellite."

Space Systems/Loral is the leader in putting broadband capacity in space, with a history of building Ka-band satellites since the 1970s. The company currently has seven satellites with Ka-band payloads under construction at its satellite manufacturing facility in Palo Alto, Calif. THOR 7 is scheduled to begin service in early 2014 and is designed to provide service for 15 years or longer.

About Telenor Satellite Broadcasting ASOperating from the prime European orbital location of 1 degrees West, Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc) provides extensive television broadcasting services for distribution and contribution applications to broadcasters, utilising a hybrid network that comprises terrestrial circuits, earth stations, and the satellite fleet.

TSBc delivers end-user connectivity and broadband application services via satellite in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and has also established inclined-satellite operations at the 4 degrees West orbital position.