Archive for the 'Eutelsat' Category
Nov 30, 2009, post by Satellite News
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) informed the signature of a far-reaching contract concluded between its Skylogic broadband affiliate and SFR, one of the leading telecommunications operators in France. SFR has selected Tooway(TM) to meet demand for broadband from its consumers beyond ADSL coverage. Called the ‘Satellite Internet Pack’ the new service supplied by SFR was launched today using capacity on Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD(TM) 6 satellite. It will be extended on Eutelsat’s new-generation KA-SAT satellite whose launch is planned for end 2010. With more than 80 beams operating in the Ka-band, KA-SAT will enable up to two million homes across Europe to benefit from broadband access.
In France, the Tooway(TM) service offers a consumer broadband solution at speeds and prices meeting the “Digital France 2012″ Plan. Operating totally independently from terrestrial networks, the service enables users to establish a high-speed Internet connection using a 67cm antenna and a modem that interfaces with a user’s PC.
Designed to serve homes in metropolitan France located in grey areas, SFR’s ‘Satellite Internet Pack’ is available in two packages: either a package with a specified subscription period from 34.90EUR a month including satellite kit, or a package with no commitment to a specific subscription period from 29.90EUR a month (plus 399EUR for the satellite kit).
The service offers download speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps and between 2.4 and 4.7 GB of data downloads per month depending on subscription. An “Endless Night” option also enables users to surf the Internet on an unlimited basis between 11 pm and 7 am with no data exchange deducted from the monthly total volume. Additional services include six mailbox addresses, antivirus software and anti-spam protection. The satellite kit comes with a DVD and installation guide as well as a satellite finder and a set of cables for self-installation. For customers preferring a professional installation SFR also provides a list of approved installers.
Launched in Europe in 2007, Tooway(TM) is based on Eutelsat’s satellite coverage, the commercial and infrastructure operating experience of its Skylogic subsidiary and SurfBeam technology developed by ViaSat. This technology used by Tooway(TM) comes to Europe after acquiring extensive experience on the North American market, where ViaSat already delivers the equipment and network for over 500,000 homes.
Commenting on the signature with SFR, Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO informed: “The selection of our new Tooway(TM) broadband service by SFR, a hallmark in telecommunications for quality service and reliability, underscores the intrinsic ability of satellite technologies to complement terrestrial networks. This major contract also clearly demonstrates the ability of Tooway(TM) to deliver a comparable service to terrestrial broadband networks, with ease of use and high levels of scalability that can accompany growth. It consolidates our objective for large-scale development of satellite broadband in the Ka-band using dedicated in-orbit and ground infrastructure offering both compelling prices and speeds to consumers. Combined with the advanced performance of the SurfBeam technology developed by ViaSat, the multi-spot KA-SAT satellite that is currently in construction by EADS Astrium will have the capacity to deliver high-speed performance to up to two million subscribers.”
Nov 28, 2009, post by Artur Ślesik
The W7 satellite of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) has been successfully lofted into orbit by a Proton Breeze M rocket supplied by ILS. Lift-off of Eutelsat’s 5.6 tonne communications satellite took place on Tuesday 24 November at 14.19 GMT (15.19 CET). After a 9-hour 12-minute flight, the launcher released W7 into geosynchronous transfer orbit at 23.31 GMT (00.31 CET).
Commenting after successful spacecraft separation, Eutelsat CEO, Michel de Rosen said: “We are delighted to announce that our W7 satellite is on its way to 36 degrees East, and we thank ILS and Khrunichev for responding to our requirements for quality, efficient and timely service. This new satellite will be a key pillar for our business development at a well-established neighbourhood, addressing dynamic markets with clear potential for sustained growth. W7 will support expansion of pay-TV platforms in Russia and across Africa. It will also give us headroom to expand telecoms and data activity in a vast region embracing Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.”
Based on the Spacebus 4000C4 design, W7 was built for Eutelsat by Thales Alenia Space. The satellite’s apogee motor will be fired three times over the coming five days to circularise its orbit and solar panels and antennas will be fully deployed by the beginning of next week. After an extensive round of in-orbit tests, the satellite will be commercially available at 36 degrees East in early January 2010.
Colocated with W4, Eutelsat’s new satellite will double resources at the 36 degrees East location. Through a configuration of up to 70 transponders connected to five high-performance fixed and steerable beams, it will provide coverage of Russia and sub-Saharan Africa for digital broadcasting services including pay-TV, and boost resources for video and telecom markets in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. The satellite will also enhance service provided since 2000 by SESAT 1, which will be redeployed at an alternative location following W7’s entry into service at 36 degrees East and transfer of traffic.
W7 characteristics:
Prime contractor – Thales Alenia Space
Platform: Spacebus 4000 C4
Launch mass: 5.6 tonnes
Solar array power: 15.8 kW
Payload power: 13.2 kW
Operational lifetime: 15 years
Nov 27, 2009, post by Satellite News
The delay of a rocket launch from a Russian-leased launch pad in southern Kazakhstan sparked a testy exchange Tuesday between the two ex-Soviet nations’ space authorities.
A European communications satellite was due to blast off atop a Proton rocket from the Baikonur launch facility Monday, but was delayed over repeated changes in schedule by Russian space officials, the national space agency of Kazakhstan, Kazcosmos, informed in a statement on its Web site.
Kazakh space authorities complain that Russia has failed to respect an accord that lays down conditions of use for Baikonur, which state that Russia has to deliver a full annual launch schedule by November for the next year.
Earlier this year, Russia added three unplanned satellite launches, and then lodged a further request in August to for the EutelSat-W7, Kazcosmos informed.
“Bearing in mind that the decision-making process in Kazakhstan’s government takes a long time and had not been completed, we conveyed that information to the Russian Federal Space Agency,” the statement informed.
Russia’s space agency, Roskosmos, argued that under an agreement with Kazcosmos, receiving government approval should take no longer than 30 days.
“This is not the first time that the launch of a spacecraft has been jeopardized due to circumstances beyond Russia’s control,” it informed in a statement.
Russia’s state-controlled Khrunichev spacecraft builder, which built the Proton rocket that is to carry the satellite, also complained about the possible consequences of the launch delay.
“As a result of the postponement, Russia has endured material and reputational damage,” it informed.
Russia has been renting the Soviet-built Baikonur Cosmodrome from Kazakstan since the Soviet collapse and has a lease on the facility until 2050. It pays an annual rent of $115 million for using the facility.
Kazakh space officials have said they plan to maintain close cooperation in space research with Russia, but ties have been strained in recent years by accidents involving the powerful Proton rocket.
An unmanned rocket filled with toxic fuel crashed in the Kazakh countryside in September 2007, provoking an angry official complaint and a temporary ban on launches from Baikonur.
Russia is hoping to reduce its reliance on Baikonur with the construction of the Vostochny launch facility in the far east. Space officials say the launch pad will be built by 2015 and begin handling all manned space launches in 2020.
The EutelSat-W7 satellite, produced by France’s Thales Alenia Space, has been designed to provide telecommunications services to Europe, Russia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. Its launch has been postponed to 8:19 p.m. local time (1419 GMT) on Tuesday.
