Having previously indicated that Ariane 5 ECA would be launch the Hylas 4 spacecraft, this was formally confirmed by Avanti Communications Group plc on 8 September 2014. Arianespace will launch Hylas 4 into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) during the first half of 2017, using an Ariane 5 ECA from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Hylas 4 will be the third Avanti Communications satellite to be launched by Arianespace.
Ariane 5 ECA Courtesy: Arianespace
Hylas 4 will be built by Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles, Virginia, using a Star-2 platform. It will weigh up to 4,000 kg at launch, and will provide direct TV broadcast and data transmission services to Africa, Latin America and Europe over an expected service life of 15 years.