Space Systems/Loral has been awarded a construction order for the BRIsat C-band and Ku-band communications satellite for Indonesia. The announcement also revealed that the 3,500kg spacecraft will be launched on an Ariane 5 launch vehicle in Q2 2016. The satellite will be owned by the Bank Rakyat Indonesia. The satellite will have a capacity of 45 transponders and will support e-channel expansions including e-banking and m-banking.
NOTE: Indonesia’s Indosat cancelled contract to build Palapa E after losing the operating rights to the 150.5E orbital slot to state-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI).