Badr-4 (previously known as Arabsat 4-B) is a fourth generation geostationary communications satellite for the Arabsat organisation, provided by Astrium. Badr-4 was launched in 2006. It provides fixed satellite communications services in C- and Ku-bands from the 26° East orbital position.
The satellite is based on the Eurostar E2000+ platform and equipped with a payload supplied by Alcatel Alenia Space. The Badr-4-payload consists of 28 active channels in Ku-band (16 in BSS and 12 in FSS). Payload power is about 6 kW. The satellite has two 2.5m deployable antennas and one 1.35 m top floor antenna.
Astrium is also under contract to design, integrate, validate, install and deploy the satellite control centres at Dirab (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Tunis (Tunisia).
In June 2006, Astrium was awarded the contract by Arabsat for construction of Badr-6, a new high-power broadcast satellite to cover the Middle East and Africa. Badr-6 was launched by an Ariane 5 in July 2008.
