The Israeli satellite operator SpaceCom (Space Communication) has announced that it is ordering a communications satellite from Boeing Satellite Systems to replace Amos-6 which it lost in a prelaunch launch pad explosion of a Falcon 9 launch vehicle in early September. The new satellite to provide cover for the Middle East and Europe will be called Amos-17 and will be launched in 2017. The contract price is US$161 million.
The purchase of spacecom is still to go ahead after prospective buyer Beijing Xinwei Technology Group agreed to continue with the sale albeit that the sale price was lowered following the loss of Amos-6 from US$285 million to US$190 million.
