ILS Proton to launch Eutelsat W3D in 2013

International Launch Services (ILS), one of the world's leading satellite launch service providers, announced that Proton-M launcher is selected to launch EUTELSAT W3D satellite during the first quarter of 2013.

EUTELSAT W3D technical info:

"The W3D satellite is being built on the Spacebus 4000 C3 platform by Thales Alenia Space with a launch mass of approximately 5400 kg and a 15 year design life. W3D will be located at 7° East to deliver high power Ku-band coverage of Europe and Turkey for Direct-to-Home (DTH) reception, extensive Ku-band coverage across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia for video links and data networks, and Ku-band coverage of Sub-Saharan Africa and Indian Ocean islands for telecommunications and Internet services."