FUTURE SATELLITES

HOTBIRD 13G LAUNCH: 03/11/2022

Successful launch of EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13G satellite

WATCH THE LAUNCH 

HOTBIRD 13F LAUNCH: 15/10/2022

Successful launch of EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F satellite

ESTIMATED ENTRY INTO SERVICE: Q2/Q3 2023

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 160 million TV homes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

HOTBIRD 13F was launched in October 2022 and 13G in November 2022. 

LAUNCH: 07/09/2022

LAUNCH SUCCESS!

ESTIMATED ENTRY INTO SERVICE: H2/2023

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 2023, 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: 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. 

Eutelsat has selected Thales Alenia Space to build a next-generation highly flexible, software-defined satellite.

The Flexsat (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 customers for 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.