Telstar 18 VANTAGE or Telstar 18V is a communications satellite with two high throughput payloads, one in Ku-band and the other in C-band.
Telesat signed a contract with SSL in December 2015 for the construction of the satellite. It will be based on the SSL-1300 bus with an electrical output of approximately 14 kW.
The new satellite called Telstar 18 VANTAGE will operate from 138° East and significantly expand Telesat?s capacity over the Asia Pacific region through a combination of broad regional beams and high throughput spot-beams. Telesat also announced it has entered into an agreement with APT Satellite Company Limited (APSTAR) under which APSTAR will make use of capacity on Telstar-18-VANTAGE to serve its growing base of customers. This agreement extends the long term relationship between APSTAR and Telesat that has existed for more than a decade.
Equipped with C and Ku-band transponders, Telstar 18 VANTAGE will offer superior performance for broadcasters, telecom service providers and enterprise networks on the ground, in the air and at sea. Its broad C-band coverage will extend across the Asia region to Hawaii enabling direct connectivity between any point in Asia and the Americas. Its Ku-band capacity will expand on Telesat?s coverage of growing satellite service markets in China, Mongolia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Ocean.
Launch is planned for 2018 on a SpaceX Falcon-9 v1.2 rocket.
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