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Eutelsat 172B

Eutelsat 172B [Airbus]

Eutelsat 172B is a communications satellite featuring a C-band, a Ku-band and a high throughput payload and all electric orbital raising.

Airbus Defence and Space has been awarded in July 2014 a contract by Eutelsat to design and build a highly innovative high-performance (hosting a C-band, a Ku-band and a high throughput payload) telecommunications satellite.

Eutelsat 172B is being built by Airbus Defence and Space and is based on the Eurostar E3000 platform, representing its latest evolution EOR (Electric Orbit Raising). This version uses only electric propulsion, the Fakel SPT140D propulsion unit, for initial orbit raising and all on-orbit manoeuvres, with the reduction in mass enabling the powerful satellite to be launched with the Ariane-5ECA lower position, offering lower launch costs. In-orbit raising is expected to take approximately four months.

The satellite will have electric power of 13 kW, with a launch weight of only 3,551 kg. It also incorporates other state-of-the-art solutions, in particular the flexibility to dynamically distribute power between the set of beams connected to its high throughput payload.

Eutelsat 172B hosts three communications payloads:

  • A C-band payload of 14 physical transponders delivering increased power and broader coverage to enhance service and tap into new growth markets in South East Asia.
  • A regular Ku-band payload of 36 physical transponders that will more than double capacity at 172° East. Transponders will be connected to five improved service areas: North Pacific, North East Asia, South East Pacific, South West Pacific and South Pacific.
  • A high throughput Ku-band payload specifically designed for in-flight broadband, featuring multiple user spots optimised to serve densely-used Asian and trans-Pacific flight paths and interconnected to gateways operating in the Ka band. This new payload will be the first customised for in-flight connectivity over the Pacific Ocean Region, delivering an overall throughput of 1.8 Gbps to an underserved market forecast to enjoy sustained growth over the coming years.

The new satellite was launched in June 2017, making it the first European satellite to demonstrate electric propulsion for orbit raising.

Nation: International
Type / Application: Communication
Operator: Eutelsat
Contractors: Airbus Defence and Space
Equipment: 14 C-band transponders, 36 Ku-band transponders, high throughput Ku-band payload
Configuration: Eurostar-3000EOR
Propulsion: Fakel SPT-140D (4 × SPT-140) propulsion unit
Power: 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime: +15 years
Mass: 3551 kg
Orbit: GEO
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
Eutelsat 172B 2017-029B 01.06.2017 Ko ELA-3 Ariane-5ECA with ViaSat 2
Further Eutelsat missions:

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