Astrium has been selected by Eutelsat Communications to deliver the first European multi-beam satellite to operate exclusively in the Ka-band and dedicated to providing broadband and broadcast services across the wider Europe. Currently designated as KA-SAT, the satellite marks a material step forward in multi-beam satellites. It will be launched in 2010 and positioned at 13° East in geostationary orbit.
Based on the Eurostar E3000 platform developed by Astrium, the satellite will operate more than 80 spot beams simultaneously, which makes it the largest multi-beam Ka-band satellite ever ordered worldwide. KA-SAT is the 17th satellite commissioned by Eutelsat from Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, and the 23rd Eurostar E3000 ordered.
The satellite will feature a high level of frequency re-use and a flexible assignment of resources to adjust to market demand. It is equipped with four multi-feed deployable antennas with enhanced pointing accuracy, and will be able to operate at a payload power of more than 11 kW throughout its 15-year design lifetime.