Alcatel Space has built Atlantic Bird 2 (26 channels in Ku Band for this Spacebus 3000 B2 Satellite) for Eutelsat. By meeting a rapid delivery schedule (16 month on-ground delivery), which is made possible by an advanced production policy for the Spacebus-3000B2 platform, Alcatel Space has enabled Eutelsat to meet crucial backup service requirements while expanding digital and multimedia services. In addition to the on-ground delivery of Atlantic Bird 2, Alcatel Space's prime contract with Eutelsat provides for the satellite's launch campaign, as well as support for its operations and mission analysis.

In December 2011 Eutelsat announced, that their satellite assets will be renamed under a unified brand name effective from March 2012. This satellite became Eutelsat 8 West A. In 2015 it was moved to 12.5° West and named Eutelsat 12 West B.