New Delhi: A telecommunications satellite, developed under a European Space Agency (ESA) Partnership, and launched into orbit on July 30, has successfully passed its in-orbit acceptance review.
Manufactured by Airbus, the Eutelsat Quantum satellite can be reprogrammed in orbit, and is a public-private partnership between ESA and France-based satellite operator Eutelsat.
After a series of successful tests, verification of performance, and validation of ground operations, the flexible software-defined satellite is now ready to enter commerical service, which is to provide mobile and data communications to certain users in the world, ESA said on its website.
What Makes Eutelsat Quantum Unique?
Eutelsat Quantum is different from custom-designed payloads due to its generic approach and flexibility. The satellite will be capable of unparalleled in-orbit reconfigurability, Airbus mentioned on its website. The coverage, frequency and power of the satellite can be reconfigured while it is in orbit. As a result, its orbital position can be rehauled.
The satellite was launched atop an Ariane 5 rocket developed by Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on July 30. It reached its final position in orbit a few days after launch. Located at 48 degrees East, it covers a wide angle from West Africa to the Strait of Malacca in South East Asia.
What Services Will Eutelsat Quantum Provide?
Eutelsat Quantum will provide data and mobile communications services for governments and other users through Eutelsat.
The satellite had a mass of 3.5 tonnes at the time of launch. It has a 15-year life span, during which it can respond to changing demands for data transmission and secure communications, as a result of its reprogrammable nature, ESA mentioned on its website.
Eutelsat Quantum also has the ability to provide information to passengers travelling in planes, ships, trucks, and cars, thanks to its beams which can be reshaped and redirected to move in real time.
When there is increased demand for data, the beams can be easily readjusted to provide more data.
Another interesting feature is that the satellite can detect and characterise rogue missions. This means the satellite can respond dynamically to an accidental interference or intentional jamming.
The satellite is optimised as per the requirements of maritime, aeronautical and land-based transportation. It will also provide government users with rapid response for public protection and disaster recovery, and secure control using the latest encryption technology, Airbus said on its website.
British industry has developed and manufactured most parts of Eutelsat Quantum, which is a UK flagship project. The innovative payload was built by Airbus, while the new platform was developed by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. The innovative phase array antenna has been developed by Airbus in Spain.