Monday, March 11, 2024
The EUTELSAT 36D, a geostationary telecommunications satellite constructed by Airbus, was recently transported from Toulouse, France, to Sanford, Florida, in the United States aboard an Airbus BelugaST (A300-600ST). It is slated for a launch into space from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket later this month. Following the introduction of the BelugaXL, which is based on the larger A330-200 model, the fleet of A300-600 based BelugaSTs is now fully dedicated to providing outsized cargo transport services worldwide.
The EUTELSAT 36D satellite is crafted from the advanced Eurostar Neo platform and aims to deliver Direct-To-Home (DTH) TV broadcasting and government services across Africa, Europe, and eastern countries for a service lifetime extending beyond 15 years.
Philippe Pham, Head of Telecommunications & Navigation Systems at Airbus, said: “EUTELSAT 36D is the latest milestone of our longstanding partnership with Eutelsat stretching back more than 30 years. It is the 22nd geo satellite we have built for them and will provide extended capacity over Africa and Eurasia.”
Featuring 70 Ku-band transponders, the fully electric EUTELSAT 36D is designed to continue and enhance the primary missions of its predecessor, EUTELSAT 36B, by improving coverage and performance.
Marking the fourth Eurostar Neo satellite to enter orbit, the EUTELSAT 36D enhances its payload capacity and features more efficient power and thermal management systems. It also benefits from a digitalized production process that shortens production times and reduces costs. With 18 kW of electric power and a launch mass of around five metric tons, courtesy of Airbus’ Electric Orbit Raising (EOR) technology, Airbus reinforces its leading position in electric propulsion.
The Eurostar Neo satellite family represents the forefront of telecommunications satellite technology, developed with contributions from the European Space Agency (ESA), the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), and the UK Space Agency (UKSA), among others.
This marks the third occasion an Airbus Beluga transport aircraft has delivered a geostationary satellite to the Kennedy Space Center, following the deliveries of HOTBIRD 13G on October 17, 2022, and Inmarsat 6-F2 on January 30, 2023. The use of the unique Beluga aircraft for transporting Airbus satellites demonstrates Airbus’ capability to provide a self-reliant European transport solution, showcasing the synergy across various Airbus divisions.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
