Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with Visiona (a joint venture between Embraer and Telebras) for the geostationary defence and strategic communications satellite (SGDC) programme. This contract is a key to space development plans by the Brazilian Space Agency, and to meeting the Ministry of Defense’s strategic requirements. It satisfies two primary objectives for the country: the deployment of a secure satellite communications system for the Brazilian Government and armed forces; and the deployment of the National broadband plan (PNBL), coordinated by the operator Telebras, to reduce the digital divide in the country. The SGDC programme is an integral part of Brazil’s strategy to reinforce its independence and sovereignty.

Based on the Spacebus 4000 platform, the SGDC satellite will carry two payloads, one with 50 Ka-band transponders offering throughput of up to 80 Gbps, and the other with seven X-band transponders. The satellite will weigh about 5.8 tonnes at liftoff, and will offer more than 11 kW of power. Delivered on the ground in 31 months, it will be positioned in orbit at 75 degrees West.

The contract also includes a complete ground segment for satellite and mission control, along with orbital positioning, acceptance testing in orbit and operational support, preceded by a complete training programme for Brazilian operators. Furthermore, on request from the customer, Brazilian engineers will join the project team and take an active role at Thales Alenia Space’s plants in Toulouse and Cannes.

“This contract is very important for our company,” said Jean Loïc Galle, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “Our people are now mobilised to make sure we meet all our commitments, and to ensure the smooth integration of Brazilian companies in this major project. I would also like to thank French and Italian Government agencies for their support in successfully concluding this new international collaboration.”

The European leader in satellite systems and a major player in orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (67 per cent) and Finmeccanica (33 per cent). Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio embody the two groups’ “Space Alliance”. With consolidated revenues of 2.1 billion euros in 2012, Thales Alenia Space has 7,500 employees in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium and the United States.