Hispasat has signed contracts with Arianespace for the launch of the Amazonas 4A and Hispasat AG1 launch contracts. Under the first contract Amazonas 4A will be launched by an Ariane 5 or Soyuz rocket in early 2014 from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana. Built by Orbital Sciences Corporation using a GEOStar 2.4 platform, this satellite will be located at orbital position 61 degrees West.
The Amazonas 4A satellite will carry a communications payload of 24 Ku-band transponders and has a planned launch mass of 3 tons. With a lifespan of 15 years, the Amazonas 4A will provide services over Latin America, a growth sector for Hispasat.
The second contract signed with Arianespace is for the launch of the 3,200kg Hispasat AG1, the first mission of the Small Geo platform developed by OHB Systems (Germany) with the aid of ESA and Hispasat. The Hispasat AG1 satellite,that will be launched by an Ariane 5 in late 2014.