FUTURE SATELLITES

Eutelsat's in-orbit investment programme has three key objectives:

• Renewing our satellite fleet to maintain long-term relationships with our customers;
• Increasing our resources for emerging markets;
• Innovating and expanding the portfolio of applications running via our satellites.

LAUNCH: 2022

CONSTRUCTION: Thales Alenia Space

Eutelsat has ordered a next-generation VHTS (Very High Throughput Satellite) satellite system named KONNECT VHTS, to support the development of our European fixed broadband and in-flight connectivity businesses. The satellite, due to enter into service in 2022, will be built by Thales Alenia Space, who will develop a satellite and ground segment solution that is the most competitive on the market today. With Ka-band capacity of 500 Gbps, KONNECT VHTS will embark the most powerful on-board digital processor ever put in orbit, offering capacity allocation flexibility, optimal spectrum use, and progressive ground network deployment.

The project will be launched with firm multi-year distribution commitments from Orange and Thales, two key European players and leaders in their businesses. A retail partnership was signed with Orange to address the fixed broadband market in European countries where the Group has a retail presence, and a distribution partnership was inked with Thales to serve notably the government connectivity services market.

LAUNCH: 2022

CONSTRUCTION: Airbus Defence and Space

Eutelsat has procured two new large satellites from Airbus Defence and Space to replace the three existing satellites at its HOTBIRD flagship neighbourhood.

The HOTBIRD family at 13° East forms one of the largest broadcasting systems in Europe, delivering 1000 television channels to more than 135 million TV homes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

These two new satellites are set to be launched in 2022.

LAUNCH: 2022

CONSTRUCTOR: Thales Alenia Space

Eutelsat has signed a letter of agreement with Thales Alenia Space for the procurement of EUTELSAT 10B, a new all-electric satellite built on the Spacebus NEO platform. Scheduled for launch in 2022, the satellite will be located at 10° East, an orbital position that offers a unique visibility spanning from the Americas to Asia.

Responding to strong growth in demand for mobile connectivity, EUTELSAT 10B will carry two new multi-beam HTS Ku-band payloads:

• a high-capacity payload, covering the North Atlantic corridor, Europe, the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East, offering significant throughput in the busiest air and sea traffic zones; and
• a second payload to extend coverage across the Atlantic Ocean, Africa and the Indian Ocean.

The satellite’s HTS payloads will be able to process more than 50 GHz of bandwidth, offering a throughput of approximately 35 Gbps.

EUTELSAT 10B will also carry two widebeam C- and Ku-band payloads to ensure service continuity for existing customers on the EUTELSAT 10A satellite.

LAUNCH: 2024

CONSTRUCTOR: Airbus

Eutelsat has signed a contract with Airbus for the procurement of EUTELSAT 36D, to succeed EUTELSAT 36B at 36° East.

With coverage of Africa, Russia and Europe, 36° East is a key orbital slot. Its two satellites, EUTELSAT 36B and EUTELSAT 36C, together notably support the broadcast businesses of major anchor customers including Multichoice and ZAP in Africa and Tricolor and NTV+ in Russia.

With 70 physical Ku-band transponders, the all-electric EUTELSAT 36D will assure all the main legacy missions of EUTELSAT 36B, with enhancements to coverage areas and performance.

Based on the state-of-the-art Airbus Eurostar Neo platform, the satellite is due for launch in the first half of 2024.