Eutelsat Communications, a leading satellite operator in the world, announced the successful launch of its W3C (News - Alert) satellite by a Long March3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China. Within three hours of separation, partial telecom platform deployment of the satellite's solar array was carried out. The deployment will be complete within the next ten days through maneuvers that include circularizing W3C's orbit and deploying antennas.

W3C satellite was built for Eutelsat (News - Alert) by Thales Alenia Space, and Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO, lauded the team behind this endeavor, stating, "Our sincere appreciation to Great Wall Industry Corporation for the excellent performance of this launch, and to Thales (News - Alert) Alenia Space for their dedication to this sophisticated and challenging program.”

For Eutelsat, this telecom platform deployment is the second in a gap of two week as the company also just launched the ATLANTIC BIRD 7 satellite.

With these two new satellites scheduled to enter service during the second quarter of the financial year, Eutelsat will be equipped with new resources to meet strong client demand across dynamic markets in Central Europe, Africa and Indian Ocean islands, Rosen added.

W3C will replace the EUROBIRD 16, W2M and SESAT 1 satellites at 16° East. Through its configuration of 56 transponders, (53 Ku and three Ka), it will provide the telecom deployment platform to address markets for broadcasting and telecom/data services via four footprints, company officials said.

The four footprints include a high-power footprint optimized for direct-to-home broadcasting in Central Europe; high-power coverage over Indian Ocean islands; a wide footprint serving Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; and a new footprint for 16° East, with Ku coverage stretching from Senegal to Madagascar and enabling connectivity with Europe in Ka-band.

Eutelsat's telecom platform deployment program via satellite will continue with the launch of six additional satellites from 2012 to 2014, according to company officials.