48° East

LAUNCHED: 30/07/2021

CONSTRUCTOR: Airbus Defence & Space

LAUNCHER: Ariane 5

EUTELSAT QUANTUM heralds a new era of commercial satellite service, enabling users in government, mobility and data markets to actively define and shape the performance and reach they need from a satellite.

Using a software-based design, EUTELSAT QUANTUM is the first universal satellite to repeatedly adjust to business requirements. Launched in July 2021, EUTELSAT QUANTUM is located at 48° East, offering extensive coverage of the MENA region and beyond.

In-orbit reprogrammable features set a new standard in flexibility and principally address markets that are highly changeable and mobile, for:

• Communications on the move: dynamic beam shaping and vessel-tracking capabilities can be optimised for power and throughput as required by maritime, aeronautical and land-based transportation;
• Data networks: bespoke design of wide-area networks and dynamic traffic shaping, responding to demand where and when needed;
• Government  users: rapid response for public protection and disaster recovery as well as secure control using the latest encryption technology.

ESA and the UK Space Agency supported the development of the core technologies integrated into EUTELSAT QUANTUM, within the framework of a Public-Private Partnership signed by ESA, Eutelsat and Airbus Defence and Space.