Eutelsat
Quantum
Public-Private
Partnership
signed
by
Eutelsat,
ESA,
Airbus
Defence
and
Space
9 July 2015
Communications
satellites
are
set
to
enter
a
new
age
following
agreements
signed
today
between
Eutelsat
Communications,
ESA,
and
Airbus
Defence
and
Space
for
the
first
‘Eutelsat
Quantum’
software-driven
satellite.
‘Eutelsat
Quantum’
will
usher
in a
new
era
of
commercial
satellite
service
by
enabling
users
in
government,
mobility
and
data
markets
to
actively
define
and
shape
the
performance
and
reach
they
need
from
a
satellite.
Using
a
software-based
design,
it
will
be
the
first
universal
satellite
to
repeatedly
adjust
to
business
requirements
and
to
be
able
to
operate
in
any
geographic
region
in
the
world.
With
a
new
payload,
use
of
proven
technology
and
software
control,
the
Eutelsat
Quantum
class
of
satellites
will
also
accelerate
time-to-market.
The
development
of
the
core
technologies
integrated
into
Eutelsat
Quantum
will
be
supported
by
ESA
and
the
UK
Space
Agency
within
the
framework
of a
Public-Private
Partnership
(PPP)
signed
today
by
ESA,
Eutelsat
and
Airbus
Defence
and
Space
on
the
occasion
of
the
inauguration
of
ESA’s
new
centre
in
the
UK.
Eutelsat
today
also
signed
the
contract
for
the
first
satellite
with
Airbus
Defence
and
Space
(ADS)
in
the
UK
using
a
new
platform
to
be
built
by
its
affiliate,
Surrey
Satellite
Technology
Ltd.
(SSTL).
The
first
satellite
will
be
delivered
in
2018.
Michel
de
Rosen,
Chairman
and
CEO
of
Eutelsat
said:
“Eutelsat
Quantum
is
the
first
of a
new
generation
of
satellite
that
has
agility,
adaptability,
responsiveness
and
performance
at
its
core.
It
is
the
culmination
of
many
years
of
research
and
evaluation
driven
by
Eutelsat,
and
marks
a
new
age
of
maturity
for
the
commercial
satellite
business.
We
are
proud
to
be
spearheading
this
initiative
in
partnership
with
ESA
and
Airbus
Defence
and
Space
with
the
support
of
the
UK
Space
Agency.”
Minister
for
Universities
and
Science
Jo
Johnson
said:
“Space
is a
great
British
success
story
and
this
partnership
between
Airbus
and
Eutelsat
to
build
cutting-edge
telecommunications
satellites
here
in
the
UK
is
testament
to
that.
Our
investment
in
collaborative
space
science
means
the
UK
has
the
know-how
and
technical
expertise
to
provide
exciting
and
innovative
space
solutions
that
will
drive
growth
and
create
jobs.”
Magali
Vaissiere,
Director
of
Telecommunications
and
Integrated
Applications
of
ESA
said:
“This
new
programme
is
an
excellent
PPP
example
of a
win-win
scenario.
Industry
benefits
from
a
new
type
of
satellite
in a
highly
competitive
and
risk-averse
market,
the
satellite
operator
benefits
from
the
satellite’s
advanced
features
and
the
ESA
Member
States
who
invested
are
ensured
maximum
return
on
their
support
through
the
development
of
their
respective
industry.”
“Eutelsat
Quantum
is
the
first
satellite
that
can
be
fully
reconfigured
in
orbit,”
said
François
Auque,
Head
of
Space
Systems
(Airbus
Defence
and
Space).
“With
this
satellite,
Airbus
Defence
and
Space
will
deliver
yet
another
innovation
for
Eutelsat,
marking
a
breakthrough
in
telecommunications
satellites
and
following
electric
propulsion
with
EUTELSAT
172B
and
broadband
access
with
KA-SAT.”
Eutelsat
Quantum's
in-orbit
reprogrammable
features
will
set
a
new
standard
in
flexibility
and
will
principally
address
markets
that
are
highly
changeable
and
mobile.
·
For
communications
on
the
move,
it
will
offer
dynamic
beam
shaping
and
vessel-tracking
capabilities
that
can
be
optimised
for
power
and
throughput
as
required
by
maritime,
aeronautical
and
land-based
transportation.
·
For
data
networks,
it
will
support
bespoke
design
of wide-area
networks
and
dynamic
traffic
shaping,
responding
to
demand
where
and
when
needed.
·
For
government users,
it
will
provide
rapid
response
for
public
protection
and disaster
recovery
as
well
as
secure
control
using
the
latest
encryption technology.
