In November 1995, Hughes was awarded the contract for Thor II, a high-powered version of Hughes' spin-stabilized 376 model. Thor II was successfully launched in May 1997. That same month, Telenor announced the award of a follow-on contract to Hughes for a second high-powered Hughes 376 satellite, Thor III, which was successfully launched in June 1998. Although Thor II is Telenor's second satellite, it was the first satellite designed specifically for Norway, and it was the 48th HS 376 model to be launched.