Successful Launch of
EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13G Satellite
November 03, 2022
Eutelsat Communications
announced that EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13G satellite was
successfully launched into Geostationary Transfer
Orbit by American space launch provider SpaceX using
a Falcon 9 rocket that lifted off from Cape
Canaveral, Florida, USA at 1.22 am Eastern time on
November 3rd (corresponding to 5.22 am UTC and 6.22
am CET on November 3rd).
The separation of the
all-electric satellite occurred after a 35-minute
flight and the spacecraft systems initialisation was
successfully completed over a period of 3 hours.
EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13G is the
second of two satellites built by manufacturer
Airbus Defence and Space to be placed at Eutelsat’s
flagship 13-degree East neighbourhood position,
replacing three older satellites. It is also based
on the Eurostar Neo telecommunications satellite
platform, developed under an ESA Partnership Project
with Airbus designed to foster innovation and
competitiveness in the European space industry. Once
into orbit and positioned, the satellite EUTELSAT
HOTBIRD 13G will, with its twin EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F
launched on October 15th, reinforce and enhance the
broadcast of more than a thousand television
channels into homes across Europe, Northern Africa
and the Middle East. Moreover, the two satellites
will offer advanced features in terms of uplink
signal protection and resilience.
In February 2021, Eutelsat was
entrusted once again by the European Union Agency
for the Space Programme (EUSPA) to host the EGNOS
GEO-4 payload, which is on board EUTELSAT HOTBIRD
13G. Eutelsat already operates the EGNOS GEO-3
payload on its EUTELSAT 5 West B satellite.
EGNOS is the European
Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service that acts
as an augmentation service to global positioning
systems, to improve the reliability of positioning
information. This is ensured by a crucial integrity
message which is essential in aviation where the
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) alone does
not satisfy strict operational requirements set by
the International Civil Aviation Organisation
(ICAO). It is especially important during critical
aircraft flight stages such as the final approach.
Other transport means including maritime and rail
benefit from this EGNOS Safety of Life service.
EGNOS also increases the positioning accuracy for
other applications, such as precision farming,
geomatics, land management and maritime.
Eva Berneke, Eutelsat Chief
Executive Officer said: "EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13G is now
on its way to join EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F at our
flagship 13-degree East position. We also look
forward to completing the GNSS network for our
European Union long term customer and partner, the
EUSPA. My congratulations to the Eutelsat, Airbus
and SpaceX teams for another successful launch into
geostationary orbit.”
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