Sources inform “Globes” that launching Israel’s second telecommunications satellite, the Amos 2, will cost $35 million. The satellite will be launched on December 27 from Baikonur, the Russian space base in Kazakhstan.
The launch was delayed by a malfunction in the satellite’s Ariane 5 French launcher. Spacecom Satellite Communications, which owns the satellite, told the French company that it had to launch the satellite in 2003, and would chose the Soyuz, a Russian launcher manufactured by Starsem, which has already launched 1,684 satellites and manned spacecraft, including the Sputnik, the first satellite in history.
Spacecom CEO David Pollack said today that the satellite had been built by Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) in its IAI MBT (MABAT) - Weapon Systems and Space Technology plant, and purchased for $130 million. The total cost of the project, including components from various industries, but excluding the launcher, is $150 million.
Like its predecessor, the Amos 2 will be able to broadcast to the Middle East and Europe, and its capacity will also include the US and Canada. The Israel Broadcasting Authority, Channel 2, the YES satellite broadcasting company, and Gilat Satellite Networks (Nasdaq: GILTF) have been mentioned as customers for the satellite’s services. As of now, Bezeq (TASE:BZEQ) will not be a customer.
The Amos 2 will also provide broadcasts to Romania, Croatia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Germany. Total revenue from the satellite is expected to reach $400 million. Pollack expressed hope that Spacecom would be able to compete in tenders for satellite broadcasting services in the Persian Gulf.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on December 15, 2003