New-generation satellite EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS
built by Thales Alenia Space heading to Kourou
launch site
21 July 2022
EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS satellite is now on its
way to Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French
Guiana, by boat, for a launch planned 6
September 2022 on board an Ariane 5 rocket.
EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS, a very high throughput
satellite built by Thales Alenia Space, is to
deliver high-speed broadband and mobile
connectivity across Europe. With a Ka-band
capacity of 500 Gbps, EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS is
the largest geostationary satellite ever ordered
to date in Europe and will embark the most
powerful on-board digital processor, offering
capacity allocation flexibility and an optimal
spectrum use.
This new-generation satellite, offering a
capacity seven times that of its brother
satellite EUTELSAT KONNECT launched in 2020,
comes with several major firmly committed
customers for satellite broadband connectivity,
namely Orange via its Nordnet affiliate for the
French coverage, Telecom Italia Mobile over
Italy and Thales Alenia Space to serve notably
the government connectivity services. These
commitments showcase the ability of satellites
to provide an attractive solution for bridging
the digital divide, at a time when access to
connectivity plays a major role in both economic
and social development.
Pascal Homsy, Chief Technical Officer at
Eutelsat, said: “With
EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS weare
bringing connectivity to a next level. Defying
the odds, it is the most powerful satellite to
join the Eutelsat fleet. It will deliver 230
beams over Western Europe and is equipped with a
Digital Transparent Processor of 5th generation
which will give a considerable advantage in
terms of frequency flexibility onboard. A
state-of-the-art piece of the finest technology
built by our partners Thales Alenia Space that I
would like to hereby acknowledge as EUTELSAT
KONNECT VHTS sets off for the Guiana Space
Center.”
Marc Henri Serre, EVP Telecommunications at
Thales Alenia Space, added:“EUTELSAT
KONNECT VHTS is the satellite of all
superlatives for a crucial mission aiming to
bridge the digital divide by providing
connectivity everywhere in Europe. It is the
most capacitive satellite ever built by Thales
Alenia Space and our teams provided all the
state-of-the art technologies to make it
possible. We are really proud to see it ready
for shipment to the launch pad and are eager to
start the launch campaign.”
Complete your e-mail address to receive our
industry leading weekly newsletter!