Thales Alenia Space has announced a contract with JSC "ISS - Reshetnev Company" (formerly NPO-PM) to supply the Amos-5 communications satellite payload. ISS, prime contractor, is building the satellite for Israeli satellite operator Spacecom Ltd.

The contract involves two long-term partners of Thales Alenia Space (ISS as industrial partner and Spacecom as a customer), associated today to start a new team for the Amos-5 satellite.

ISS serves as the prime contractor providing its Express-1000 platform and Thales Alenia Space as communications payload supplier. The satellite will be integrated and tested in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

Stated for launch in 2010, Amos-5 will also expand the operator's fleet in particular for Direct To Home services over Africa as well as part of France and Germany.

The satellite's total mass at launch will be approximately 1.6 tons and the payload power about 5.6 kW. Amos-5 will carry 18 C-band and 16 Ku-band transponders and will be located at 17 degreesE.

This contract is the result of the long-time successful cooperation with ISS and of the renewed confidence of Spacecom in Thales Alenia Space.

It follows the Amos-4 communications payload contract signed by Thales Alenia Space in July earlier this year and the recent launch of the Amos-3 satellite which communications payload was also built by Thales Alenia Space.