Thales announced that it has delivered the Ku-Band Dual traveling wave tubes (Dual-TWTs) for the ASTRA 1Q satellite ordered by the Luxembourg-based provider of global content and connectivity solutions, SES. Based on Thales Alenia Space’s Space INSPIRE product line, ASTRA 1Q is a flexible, software-defined satellite, reconfigurable in orbit. This solution signals a major advance in geostationary satellites used for telecommunications. The delivery of the Dual-TWTs for the ASTRA 1Q marks a significant technological step forward, enhancing the satellite’s communications and data management to boost both performance and operational reliability.
Thales has more than 23,200 TWTs in orbit to date, consolidating its reputation as an innovator, while also expanding its portfolio of spaceborne amplification products through the introduction of a new generation of spaceborne TWTs, the Dual-TWT. Combining reduced weight and size with high performance, this new solution fully meets the requirements for active-antenna amplification systems designed for software-defined flexible satellites. With its two versions, the Dual-TWT can address both the Ku and Ka frequency bands.
Thales Alenia Space’s Space INSPIRE solution (INstant SPace In orbit REconfiguration) underpins a new generation of highly flexible telecom satellites, reconfigurable in orbit so they can quickly adapt to fast-changing markets and user requirements.
The Space INSPIRE product line was developed with the help of French space agency CNES. Several components from European companies for the product line also had support from the European Space Agency via two Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programs (Artes Competitiveness & Growth and Novacom II).
Featuring key components like Thales’ Ku-Band Dual-TWTs, the ASTRA 1Q satellite takes its place as a keystone for new generation spacecraft, significantly boosting their capacity for communications and satellite services.
Three leading-edge Thales facilities team up to manufacture Dual-TWTs: Ulm in Germany, and Thonon-les-Bains and Vélizy in France.
Advantages of the first flight set delivered: Advanced technology Dual-TWTs are designed to offer high reliability and performance in restricted space environments. They are easily integrated on the ASTRA 1Q satellite antenna at Thales Alenia Space, for a critical contribution to the ASTRA 1Q program.
“We’re honored to play a key role in the ASTRA 1Q satellite by supplying these latest-generation Dual-TWTs to the prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space. Our successful delivery of this shipset for the first flight model illustrates Thales’ ability to quickly supply cutting-edge technology solutions that will shape the future of space communications,” said Charles-Antoine Goffin, vice president, microwave and imaging systems, Thales.