Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has announced that it has been awarded a contract to manufacture a new spacecraft for HISPASAT Group, the eighth largest operator in the world and the leading operator in the broadcasting and distribution of contents in Spanish and Portuguese.

HISPASAT broadcasts and distributes more than 1,000 TV and radio channels, including the contents of the most important DTH services, in Europe and America, including its High Definition offer.

HISPASAT 1E is designed to provide Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) and Broadcast Satellite Services (BSS) for 15 years or more.

Scheduled to be available for launch in 2010, the spacecraft is a powerful, state-of-the-art Ku-band satellite which will be located at 30 degrees West, further expanding HISPASAT's coverage in Europe, the Americas, and North Africa.

The new satellite will be capable of operating up to 53 simultaneous Ku-band transponders and is based on Space Systems/Loral's space proven 1300 satellite platform, which provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications.

It will have a launch mass of approximately five tons and will produce nearly 14-kW of prime power at end of life.

"HISPASAT and Space Systems/Loral share a commitment to expanding communications access throughout the world," said John Celli, president and chief operating officer of Space Systems/Loral.

"We look forward to working together, and to the flawless delivery of one of the world's best satellites."

With more than 50 years' history and more than 1,400 cumulative on-orbit service years logged, Space Systems/Loral uses its space proven, heritage design as the reliable foundation for incremental technology advances that help customers meet their business objectives.

SS/L has manufactured more than 220 satellites, with 54 satellites currently operating in space.