Anik F1 is a Canadian geosynchronous communications satellite that was launched on November 21 2000 by an Ariane 44 rocket from the European Space Agency Guiana space center at Kourou. Anik is an Inuit word that means "little brother". At the moment of its launch it was the most powerful communications satellite ever built. It has an advanced xenon Ion thruster propulsion system and its communication "footprint" covers Central America as well as North America.
It was launched by Telesat, a Canadian communications company. The primary customers are the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Starchoice, CHUM Limited and Canadian Satellite Communications Inc.
Telesat is a subsidiary of BCE: Bell Canada Enterprise Inc.
- Manufacturer: Telesat Canada
- Satellite Type: Boeing Satellite Systems (formerly Hughes aircraft) bus model 702
- Weight: 4710 kg (10,384 pounds ) at launch and 3015 kg (6647 pounds ) in orbit
- Dimensions: 40.4m (132.5 feet ) long and 9m (29.5 feet ) wide with the solar panels and antennas deployed.
- DC power: 17.5 W
- Expected lifetime: 15 years
- Transponders: 84 C-band and Ku Band
- Vehicle: Ariane 4
