Eutelsat launches era of all-electric satellites

02 marzo 2015

2 min di lettura

(AGI) Paris, March 2 - Eutelsat Communications (NYSE EuronextParis: ETL) announced the successful launch of its electricallypowered Eutelsat 115 Ovest B on Monday, an achievement thatoffers new opportunities for efficiency and competitiveness inthe satellite communications sector and beyond. Theall-electric, two-ton satellite, built by Boeing, was launchedon Sunday night aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, from which itsuccessfully detached after 35 minutes with the technicalsupport of the control centre in El Seguno, California. "We aredelighted to see Eutelsat 115 West B on its way into space andthank SpaceX for this successful launch," Eutalsat's Chairmanand CEO, Michel de Rosen, said at Cape Canaveral. "With thissatellite we are trailblazing a new era of electric propulsionfor putting satellites into orbit raising that opensopportunities for greater efficiency and higher competitivity.It's another first in Eutelsat's 30-year track record ofinnovation that propels our industry onto the next stage."Speaking from the launch site, Patricio Northland, CEO ofEutelsat America, added: "The Eutelsat 115 West B satellitewill transform the service we can offer clients, deliveringdata services that include broadband, cellular backhaul, VSATsolutions and social connectivity. In addition to deliveringhigh-performance C and Ku-band capacity, our footprint willextend beyond Latin American markets into Canada and Alaska.Tonight's launch reaffirms us more than ever as the satellitecompany of reference for the Americas." The Eutelsat 115 WestB's electric propulsion system will be activated on Mar. 7 andrun for approximately eight months. The satellite will thenundergo a performance test, before entering into commercialservice in November 2015. The Eutelsat 117 West B, anotherall-electric spacecraft, will also enter orbit by the end ofthe year. It will be positioned at 117 degrees West to increasethe capacity of Latin American broadcasting markets. Eutelsat65 West A represents a third step for Eutelsat's penetration inthe Americas. This is scheduled for launch in 2016 ahead of theBrazil Olympics. The satellite will provide high-poweredcoverage in C, Ku, and Ka bands in Brazil and Latin America.. .