A European telecommunications satellite that can be completely repurposed while in orbit has been placed on board a rocket ready for launch on 30 July.

Developed under an ESA Partnership Project with satellite operator Eutelsat and prime manufacturer Airbus, Eutelsat Quantum is the first commercial fully flexible software-defined satellite in the world.

Because it can be reprogrammed in orbit, it can respond to changing demands for data transmission and secure communications during its 15-year lifetime.

Its beams can be redirected to move in almost real time to provide information to passengers on board moving ships or planes. The beams also can be easily adjusted to deliver more data when demand surges.

The satellite can detect and characterise any rogue emissions, enabling it to respond dynamically to accidental interference or intentional jamming.

Eutelsat Quantum is the outcome of an ESA Partnership Project. It is a UK flagship project with most of the satellite developed and manufactured by British industry. Airbus was the prime contractor and was responsible for manufacturing the satellite’s payload, while Surry Satellite Technology Ltd manufactured the new platform.

The satellite will be launched on board an Ariane 5 rocket operated by Arianespace from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

ESA Partnership Projects develop sustainable end-to-end systems, right up to in-orbit validation.

Credits: ESA/ArianeGroup/Arianespace/CNES

Tags:   kourou ESA European Space Agency Space Universe Cosmos Space Science Science Space Technology Tech Technology Eutelsat Eutelsat Quantum Quantum satellite French Guiana Guiana Space Centre

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The Quantum satellite is being placed in its transport container at Aibus Toulouse before being shipped to Europe's Space Port in Kourou, French Guyana on 24 June 2021.

Quantum, the ESA Partnership Project with Eutelsat, Airbus and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, is a pioneering mission preparing the way for the next generation of telecommunications satellites, which will be more flexible by design and so more adaptable to customer needs once in orbit.

Quantum is a shift from custom-designed satellite with one-off payloads to a more generic approach, resulting in unprecedented in-orbit reconfigurability in coverage, frequency and power, allowing complete mission rehaul, including orbital position.

ESA partnered with satellite operator Eutelsat and manufacturer Airbus to design this programme, in response to today's market requiring satellites to be able to respond to changes in geographical or performance demand, either during manufacturing or after launch. This will enable the operator to address emerging business opportunities — even those that appear after it has ordered a satellite.

Such ESA Partnership Projects maximise the benefits to industry thanks to an efficient, co-managed approach that is tailored to commercial best practice

Credits: ESA - M. Pedoussaut

Tags:   ESA European Space Agency Space Universe Cosmos Space Science Science Space Technology Tech Technology Guiana Space Centre French Guiana Kourou Ariane 5 Eutelsat Quantum Eutelsat Quantum Rocket

© All Rights Reserved

The Quantum satellite is being placed in its transport container at Aibus Toulouse before being shipped to Europe's Space Port in Kourou, French Guyana on 24 June 2021.

Quantum, the ESA Partnership Project with Eutelsat, Airbus and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, is a pioneering mission preparing the way for the next generation of telecommunications satellites, which will be more flexible by design and so more adaptable to customer needs once in orbit.

Quantum is a shift from custom-designed satellite with one-off payloads to a more generic approach, resulting in unprecedented in-orbit reconfigurability in coverage, frequency and power, allowing complete mission rehaul, including orbital position.

ESA partnered with satellite operator Eutelsat and manufacturer Airbus to design this programme, in response to today's market requiring satellites to be able to respond to changes in geographical or performance demand, either during manufacturing or after launch. This will enable the operator to address emerging business opportunities — even those that appear after it has ordered a satellite.

Such ESA Partnership Projects maximise the benefits to industry thanks to an efficient, co-managed approach that is tailored to commercial best practice

Credits: ESA - M. Pedoussaut

Tags:   ESA European Space Agency Space Universe Cosmos Space Science Science Space Technology Tech Technology Guiana Space Centre French Guiana Kourou Ariane 5 Eutelsat Quantum Eutelsat Quantum Rocket

© All Rights Reserved

The Quantum satellite is being placed in its transport container at Aibus Toulouse before being shipped to Europe's Space Port in Kourou, French Guyana on 24 June 2021.

Quantum, the ESA Partnership Project with Eutelsat, Airbus and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, is a pioneering mission preparing the way for the next generation of telecommunications satellites, which will be more flexible by design and so more adaptable to customer needs once in orbit.

Quantum is a shift from custom-designed satellite with one-off payloads to a more generic approach, resulting in unprecedented in-orbit reconfigurability in coverage, frequency and power, allowing complete mission rehaul, including orbital position.

ESA partnered with satellite operator Eutelsat and manufacturer Airbus to design this programme, in response to today's market requiring satellites to be able to respond to changes in geographical or performance demand, either during manufacturing or after launch. This will enable the operator to address emerging business opportunities — even those that appear after it has ordered a satellite.

Such ESA Partnership Projects maximise the benefits to industry thanks to an efficient, co-managed approach that is tailored to commercial best practice

Credits: ESA - M. Pedoussaut

Tags:   ESA European Space Agency Space Universe Cosmos Space Science Science Space Technology Tech Technology Guiana Space Centre French Guiana Kourou Ariane 5 Eutelsat Quantum Eutelsat Quantum Rocket

© All Rights Reserved

The traditional signing of the fairing of the Ariane 5 that will carry the Quantum satellite into space, at Europe's Space Port in Kourou, French Guyana on 21 July 2021.

Quantum, the ESA Partnership Project with Eutelsat, Airbus and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, is a pioneering mission preparing the way for the next generation of telecommunications satellites, which will be more flexible by design and so more adaptable to customer needs once in orbit.

Quantum is a shift from custom-designed satellite with one-off payloads to a more generic approach, resulting in unprecedented in-orbit reconfigurability in coverage, frequency and power, allowing complete mission rehaul, including orbital position.

ESA partnered with satellite operator Eutelsat and manufacturer Airbus to design this programme, in response to today's market requiring satellites to be able to respond to changes in geographical or performance demand, either during manufacturing or after launch. This will enable the operator to address emerging business opportunities — even those that appear after it has ordered a satellite.

Such ESA Partnership Projects maximise the benefits to industry thanks to an efficient, co-managed approach that is tailored to commercial best practice.

Credits: ESA - M. Pedoussaut

Tags:   kourou ESA European Space Agency Space Universe Cosmos Space Science Science Space Technology Tech Technology Guiana Space Centre French Guiana Ariane 5 Eutelsat Quantum Eutelsat Quantum Rocket

© All Rights Reserved