Arianespace will launch the Nilesat 201 satellite as part of a turnkey contract that Thales Alenia Space has with Nilesat. To be lofted into geostationary transfer orbit by an Ariane 5 or Soyuz vehicle during the first quarter of 2010, Nilesat 201 will be the third satellite launched by Arianespace for the Egyptian operator – following Nilesat 101 and 102, which were successfully orbited in 1998 and 2000, respectively.