Thales Alenia Space has been awarded the lead contract to develop quantum technology-based satellites and their ground links. The development will mean much-improved cybersecurity benefits. Thales and its consortium members are looking to build satellites and matching optical ground stations by the end of 2026 to demonstrate the planned long-distance quantum satellite connectivity. The project […]
Satellite operator SES has borrowed €300 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB). SES is currently in the middle of a considerable capital-intensive satellite building programme. The full terms of the loan are not revealed but are likely to be highly competitive and are reportedly for seven years. The cash will go towards the procurement […]
Intelsat has confirmed its launch plans for its Intelsat IS-41 and IS-44 satellites. Intelsat will use an Ariane 6 rocket to launch the pair of satellites in 2025. Thales Alenia Space is building the satellites, which will have a combined weight of some 8,000 kgs. “We are honoured, yet again, by our faithful long-time partner […]
Paris-based satellite operator Eutelsat has ordered a flexible software-defined craft from Thales Alenia Space. Eutelsat says that this ‘New generation’ of high-throughput, software-defined satellite, allowing flexibility and instant reconfigurability, to adapt to changing missions. It will reinforce Eutelsat’s in-orbit assets to serve surging demand for Connectivity in the Americas. The Flexsat (for flexible satellite) will […]
The planned launch by Arianespace of the important Eutelsat Konnect VHTS satellite on September 6th was halted ahead of lift-off. High altitude winds were to blame. The Very High Throughput Satellite is claimed to be the most powerful craft to be orbited. A new launch time is expected on September 7th at 09.45 UTC. It […]
Satellite technology company Thales Alenia Space is partnering Italy-based MIPRONS on an innovative propulsion system for satellites which uses water as a fuel. Based on MIPRONS’ proprietary technology, with the Italian patent being extended to 49 other countries, this miniaturized, high-thrust thruster will use a green, cost-effective propellant — water. An electrolysis process breaks down […]
Operating satellites at orbital heights of less than 300 kms is seen as a solution to reduce the cost of satellite launching and making affordable performance. Thales Alenia Space and the Belgian team of the UK’s QinetiQ are backing the development of so-called ‘skimsats’. The pair are working with the European Space Agency (ESA) and […]
SES-17, the satellite operator’s latest orbital asset, has been declared fully operational. SES-17 is a Ka-band craft serving the Americas, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean from 67.1 degrees West. The all-electric propulsion satellite has reached orbit on schedule after months of in-orbit raising and successful in-orbit testing. SES says that this very high throughput […]
Russia’s Express AM3 (officially Экспресс-АМ3/Ekspress-AM3) communications satellite has been moved to a ‘graveyard’ high orbit and safely away from the normal orbital heights of fellow-geostationary satellites. The craft was operated by Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC). Express AM3 was built by Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev (NPO PM) for Kosmicheskaya Svyaz. The communications payload was built […]
Arabsat is ordering a new satellite, Arabsat-7A,that will add considerable sophistication to its fleet. The Saudi Arabia-based operator has signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space to build a fully ‘software defined’ ‘Space Inspire’ geostationary satellite and beam its signals over the Middle East, Africa and much of Europe. Arabsat-7A will replace the bulk of […]