Nimiq 4 is scheduled to be launched September 18th. 2008 by a Proton Breeze M rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It will replace Nimiq 4i, and will provide advanced services such as high-definition television, specialty channels and foreign language programming.

Nimiq 3 went online on August 23, 2004. Originally called DirecTV3, it is an old DirecTV satellite moved to a new orbital slot near Nimiq 1 to offload some of the transmitting work from the original satellite. In February 2006, Nimiq 3 was moved behind Nimiq 2 to support it, while another satellite, Nimiq 4i (formerly DirecTV2), took Nimiq 3's spot behind Nimiq 1. Nimiq 4i was replaced with Nimiq 4iR as it ran out of fuel on April 28, 2007 and was de-orbited. Nimiq 4iR is temporary and will be replaced by a newly launched satellite in 2008 which will take the name Nimiq 4.

Nimiq-4 will occupy the orbital slot at 82° W and has an anticipated life of 15 years.

Same channel line-up then.

Same channel line-up then.
pretty much! same 5h!t diff SmElL:v:

thanks for the info.

yep looks like just a replacement:)

Anyone knows what the power output would be? The new Ech* Sat is spewing out lotst of power! Does this mean the folks south of Miami will get better reception?

its going to allow bev to include more HD content and its being put at the 81 orbital slot with nimiq 2 so that the current 2 lnb dishes that are installed by bev technicians can take full advantage of this.

have not seen anything about what transponder frequencies they will be using, obviously will be different frequencies then nimiq 2.

More info on the satellite; some the same as I already posted

EADS Astrium has been selected in January 2006 by Telesat to build the company’s new Nimiq 4 satellite. This is the third consecutive order for a Eurostar E3000 satellite from the Canadian-based operator following Anik F1R and Anik F3. Planned to enter service in 2008, Nimiq 4 will broadcast direct-to-home TV from its orbital location of 82º West.

Nimiq 4 will continue to enhance digital television services in Canada. It will feature 32 active high-power transponders in Ku-band and 8 in Ka-band. The multi-spot Ka-band payload will provide coverage of the most densely populated regions of Canada.

EADS Astrium, as prime contractor for Nimiq 4, will design and build the satellite and supply both the payload and the platform. EADS Astrium’s facilities in the UK Germany, Spain and France and will contribute to the design and manufacture of the spacecraft. Canadian industry will supply a significant part of the spacecraft equipment and technologies.

Nimiq 4 is based on the Eurostar-3000S version of the highly successful Eurostar communications satellite. It will have a launch mass of 4.8 tonnes, a solar array span of 39 meters once deployed in orbit, and spacecraft power of 12 kW at end of life. The double-floor E3000 model is equipped with an all-chemical propulsion system and Lithium-Ion batteries. The satellite, operating in geostationary orbit, will provide commercial services for a minimum of 15 years.

What frequency range is Ka band?

Russian rocket sends Canadian satellite into space Nimiq4 (Malfunctions)

MOSCOW, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Russia launched a Proton-M space vehicle early Saturday to send a Canadian communication satellite into orbit, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

The carrier was launched at 01:48 Moscow time (2148 GMT) from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, said Alexander Bobrenev, Press Secretary of the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center.
The rocket was scheduled to orbit the Canadian satellite on Friday, but was postponed over a malfunction of the launch control system. The satellite Nimiq-4 weighs 4,850 kg and is expected to work for 15 years. It is developed by the European company EADS Astriumfor Telesat Canada, a satellite communication operator which provides data transmission and tele and radio broadcasting services for North America. The Proton-M launch vehicle and the Briz-M booster are made by the Khrunichev center. The rocket has three stages and the launch weight is about 700 tons.

satellite was launched succesfully on Saturday.


Loral Space & Communications Inc announced that Telesat, which is 64 percent owned by Loral and the world's fourth largest fixed satellite services operator, has successfully launched its state-of-the-art Nimiq 4 satellite. Nimiq 4 is fully leased to Bell TV, and will enable Bell TV to expand its advanced digital satellite television services over Canada by offering more HDTV, specialty channels and foreign-language programming.


Nimiq 4 will enter into commercial service after it has successfully completed orbit raising and comprehensive in-orbit testing. The satellite, which will be located at 82 degrees West, is equipped with 32 active high-power transponders in Ku-band and eight in Ka-band. The spacecraft has a solar array span of 39 meters, an expected 15-year mission life, and a launch mass of approximately 4850 kg.