Eutelsat Selects
Thales Alenia Space to Build a New Flexible
Software-Defined Satellite
Eutelsat Communications has
selected Thales Alenia Space (Thales 67 % and
Leonardo 33 %) to build a next-generation highly
flexible, software-defined satellite (SDS).
The Flexsat (for flexible
satellite) will be based on Thales Alenia Space’s
cutting-edge ‘Space Inspire’ (INstant SPace In-orbit
REconfiguration) product line, enabling seamless
reconfiguration and instant in-orbit adjustment to
offer an optimum level of customer service,
maximising the effective use of the satellite
resources.
The new satellite will expand
Eutelsat’s in-orbit assets providing more than 100
Gbps of incremental capacity over the Americas to
support the surging Connectivity market. Its
performances combined with the high level of
flexibility in terms of coverage, bandwidth
allocation, and power levels, will offer an
unparalleled quality of service to Eutelsat’s B2B
customers for its ADVANCE backhauling, enterprise,
government, aero, and maritime solutions.
It will also be able to
accommodate joint GEO-LEO services, specifically in
zones where demand is highly concentrated.
The Flexsat is expected to be
delivered in 2026. The capital expenditure
associated with the programme is embedded in
Eutelsat’s standalone capital expenditure and
adjusted discretionary free cash flow estimates for
FY2022-23 and FY2023-24. It is also included in the
financial trajectory of the proposed combination of
Eutelsat and OneWeb.
Eva Berneke Chief Executive
Officer of Eutelsat commented: “The uniqueness of a
Flexsat makes it particularly convenient to optimise
capacity and reconfigure services during the
satellite’s lifetime, depending on applications and
coverage areas. This new satellite will further
underpin Eutelsat’s growth strategy aimed at
addressing the booming Connectivity segment and it
is also able to support joint GEO-LEO services. We
are delighted to partner once again with Thales
Alenia Space, and proud to be among the first
customers of the innovative Space Inspire product
line.”
“By ordering the first Software
Defined Satellite of its fleet based on Space
Inspire product line, Eutelsat has once again
expressed its confidence in Thales Alenia Space,
extending a long partnership recently marked by the
launches of EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS in September and
of EUTELSAT 10B last week”, commented Hervé Derrey,
CEO of Thales Alenia Space.
The Flexsat is the 6th
satellite based on Space Inspire product line and
the 6th telecommunication satellite contract awarded
to Thales Alenia Space this year.
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