GT Satellite Systems S.A. (GTSS) and Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) announced that they have signed a long term, multiple transponder deal to provide GTSS with expansion capacity on the new ABS-2 satellite scheduled to be launched in 2012. As part of the multi-year contract, GTSS will significantly expand its existing capacity on ABS-1 by leasing multiple Ku-band transponders on the ABS-2 Russia/CIS Beam for further expansion of its TV distribution services from the most popular CATV channels location in Russia, and its newly launched Raduga TV DTH platform. ABS-2 will be co-located with ABS-1 at 75 degrees East Longitude. ABS-2 will have 14 KW of payload power and up to 78 active C-band, Ku-band and Ka-band transponders across 8 different beams. It is designed for 15 years of operational life. The ABS-2 spacecraft will be manufactured by Space Systems/Loral and launched with Arianespace.