Satellite Operator Spacecom in Talks With a Client Comparable to Facebook, Says CEO
Spacecom is set to launch its new satellite, AMOS-17, next week, and has already reported an order backlog valued at $58 million
17:2628.07.19
Israel-based company Space Communication Ltd. (Spacecom) is in talks with an Africa-based client “comparable to Facebook” to provide communication services with its new AMOS-17 satellite, CEO David Pollak said Sunday at a press conference.
Spacecom CEO David Pollak. Photo: Orel Cohen Facebook was “badly burnt” by the AMOS-6 accident, and is not willing to enter an agreement with Spacecom until the new satellite reaches orbit, Pollak said.
The launch of AMOS-17, intended to provide communication services primarily to Africa, is set to take place August 4. AMOS-17’s predecessor, AMOS-6, which was designed for the same purpose, exploded on the launchpad in August 2016. The accident ended up costing Spacecom hundreds of millions of dollars in lost contracts, including a high-profile $95 million contract with Facebook.
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According to Spacecom, the company already has an order backlog for the new satellite valued at $58 million. Once the launch is executed successfully, the company said, more deals would reach maturity. Currently, Spacecom provides communication services to Africa through the AMOS-4 and AMOS-7 satellites. The Boeing-built satellite is expected to provide service for a 20-year period.
