GECs
EADS Astrium bags Arianespace contract for Hot Bird 8
PARIS: Eutelsat and EADS Astrium have announced the signature of a contract for the construction the Hot Bird 8 broadcast satellite. This will be launched in early 2006 by Arianespace on board an Ariane 5 rocket.
An official release informs that with 64 transponders that can be operated simultaneously, of which 58 transponders will operate at full power for most of the satellite’s lifetime, Hot Bird 8 is the largest satellite yet ordered by Eutelsat. It will join the company’s constellation of Hot Bird broadcasting satellites at 13 degrees East. These provide television, radio and interactive services to almost 100 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
The new satellite will join Hot Bird 7A in bringing in-orbit sparing to a level where 13 degrees East can maintain its reputation as one of the most secure multi-satellite video neighbourhoods. The satellite has been designed to cover all 102 Ku-band transponders/frequencies at 13 degrees East. This means that it can substitute any transponder on the other Hot Bird satellites.
As the prime contractor for the new satellite EADS Astrium will design and build the satellite and supply both the payload and the platform. The spacecraft will have a launch mass of less than five tons, a solar array span of 45 metres once deployed in orbit, and a spacecraft solar array power of almost 14 kW at end of life. It will provide commercial services for a minimum of 15 years adds the release.
Hot Bird 8 is based on the E3000 version of the Eurostar family, already ordered by five major satellite operators. 34 Eurostar spacecrafts have been ordered to date. Oof these, 23 have already been launched and have proven highly reliable in operational service.
EADS Astrium is wholly owned by EADS Space. In 2002, EADS Space had a turnover of €2.2 billion. EADS Astrium’s satellite business activities cover complete civil and military telecommunications and Earth Observation systems, science and navigation programmes and all spacecraft avionics and equipment.
Hot Bird 8’s technical characteristics
Spacecraft : Eurostar E3000
Height : 4.9 m
Length : 2.4 m
Width : 2.9 m
Solar Array Span deployed : 45 m
Spacecraft solar array power / End of life : almost 14 kW
Geostationary orbit, 13 degrees East longitude Payload Frequency band : Ku
Number of transponders : 64 transponders operational simultaneously with up to 58 transponders at full power for large part of lifetime.
Antennas : Two 2.4-m diameter deployable reflectors One 1.5 m diameter fixed reflector
Coverage : Europe, North Africa, Middle East
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
