International Launch Services (ILS) and Eutelsat have announced a contract for the launch of the W3D satellite into geostationary transfer orbit on an ILS Proton in 2013.

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 7East 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.

The Proton vehicle is Russia's premier heavy-lift launcher and is built by Khrunichev Research and Production Space Center, the majority owner of ILS and one of the pillars of the Russian space industry.

Frank McKenna, President of ILS said, "Schedule assurance is absolutely critical for all of our customers. With this launch, Eutelsat is also relying on our proven track record of reliability and on-time delivery to orbit.

ILS and Khrunichev are looking forward to delivering on that commitment for Eutelsat and continuing to support their plans for growth and expansion with the launch of the W3D satellite in 2013."