Satellite News

Western Europe and North America continue to lead the digital satellite pay-TV market in subscribers and revenue, but the fastest growth over the next several years will come from other areas, especially Asia, reports In-Stat.

Eutelsat Communications reported results for the first half ending 31 December 2006.

XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. agreed to sell its newest satellite, XM-4 “Blues,” to a trust and lease it back for nine years.

ESA mission controllers have confirmed Rosetta is on track for a critical 250-km Mars swingby on 25 February. Engineers have started final preparations for the operation, which includes an eclipse, a signal blackout, precise navigation and complex ground tracking.

The launch of six experimental U.S. military satellites aboard an Atlas 5 has been delayed, and Nigeria’s NIGCOMSAT will be put in orbit two moths later than expected.

International Launch Services (ILS) has signed a contract for the launch of the Ciel-2 satellite on a Proton Briz M vehicle in late 2008. Financial details were not disclosed.