Eutelsat 172B Development and Deployment Process

The Eutelsat 172B satellite was developed by Eutelsat, a European satellite operator, in collaboration with Thales Alenia Space, a leading space technology company. Eutelsat invested heavily in the development of the satellite, which was designed to provide high-speed internet connectivity to remote and underserved communities.

The satellite was launched on a Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, a location known for its reliable and efficient launch services. This was a key milestone in the deployment process, marking the beginning of the satellite's journey to its final orbit.

The satellite was designed to operate in geostationary orbit, at an altitude of approximately 36,000 kilometers above the equator, where it would provide coverage to a vast area of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding regions.

The Eutelsat 172B spacecraft is based on the Eurostar E3000 platform of Airbus DS. This highly innovative satellite hosts three distinct payloads that will strengthen Eutelsat's capability to serving Asia-Pacific markets.

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The satellite combines electric power of 13 kW with a launch weight of only 3,500 kg. This impressive combination enables the satellite to efficiently perform its duties.

The satellite's design includes three payloads: a C-band payload, a regular Ku-band payload, and a high throughput payload specifically designed for in-flight connectivity along Pacific air corridors.

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The Eutelsat 172B satellite was a groundbreaking project that marked a significant milestone in the world of telecommunications. It was the first high-power all-electric telecommunications satellite built in Europe.

Construction of the satellite was completed in January 2017 at the Airbus satellite assembly facilities in Toulouse. The fully fledged satellite was then undergoing final testing before it was sent to Kourou, French Guiana, for an Ariane 5 launch scheduled in April.

The WALIS (Wide Angle Localization Integrated System) network of ground stations around the world, developed by Airbus, enabled engineers to control orbit raising operations until the satellite reached geostationary orbit.

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The satellite was transported to the launch site in French Guiana in March 2017, after being ready for shipment on March 15. It was launched on an Ariane 5 rocket, which offered more competitive launch costs thanks to the satellite's substantial weight reduction.

The Eutelsat 172B satellite design, assembly, and construction contract was awarded to Airbus Defence and Space in July 2014. The satellite has a launch mass of 3,500kg and an electric power of 13kW, with a design lifespan of 15 years.

The Eutelsat 172B satellite has a launch mass of 3,500kg and an electric power of 13kW.

It features three payloads, including two deployable solar arrays and batteries, which will enable the satellite to operate for its 15-year design lifespan.

The satellite was manufactured at Airbus Defence and Space's facility in Toulouse and was completed in January 2017.

The Eutelsat 172B satellite is based on the Eurostar E3000 platform, which uses Safran/Snecma PPS-5000 electric propulsion for initial orbit raising and all on-orbit manoeuvres.

The satellite's in-orbit raising took approximately four months, and it includes deployable robotic arms for orientation of the electric propulsion thrusters and to control thrust direction and attitude.

The C-band payload on the Eutelsat 172B satellite includes 14 transponders, which will deliver increased power and broader coverage to augment service and expand new growth markets in South-East Asia.

Electric Orbit Raising (EOR) is a crucial process in satellite design that involves increasing a satellite's altitude to its final orbit. This is typically done after the satellite has reached Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and must be raised to a higher orbit to achieve its intended mission.

Satellites can be raised using a variety of methods, including the use of onboard propulsion systems or the deployment of solar panels to generate more power. The choice of method depends on the specific design and mission requirements of the satellite.

A key challenge in EOR is managing the satellite's velocity and trajectory to ensure a smooth and efficient transfer to the final orbit. This requires precise calculations and control systems to avoid any potential hazards or malfunctions.

The EOR process can take several days or even weeks, depending on the specific requirements of the mission and the capabilities of the satellite's propulsion system.

The Eutelsat 172B satellite was designed with a launch mass of 3,500kg and an electric power of 13kW.

It features three payloads, two deployable solar arrays, and batteries, with a design lifespan of 15 years.

The satellite was manufactured at the Airbus Defence and Space facility in Toulouse, where construction was completed in January 2017.

The Eutelsat 172B is based on the Eurostar E3000 platform, which was developed in collaboration with ESA and CNES under the PIA programme.

This all-electric platform includes deployable robotic arms, which are used for orientation of the satellite's electric propulsion thrusters and to control thrust direction and attitude.

Using electric propulsion for initial orbit raising and all on-station maneuvers has led to a substantial weight reduction, enabling the satellite to be launched in the Ariane 5 lower position and offering more competitive launch costs.

The satellite's in-orbit raising took approximately four months, with the WALIS network of ground stations around the world, developed by Airbus, enabling engineers to control orbit raising operations until the satellite reached geostationary orbit.

The Eutelsat 172B was transported to the launch site in French Guiana in March 2017, where it was prepared for launch on an Ariane 5 rocket.

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The Eutelsat 172B satellite has a C-band payload with 14 transponders, which will deliver increased power and broader coverage to augment service and expand new growth markets in South-East Asia.

This C-band payload is a significant upgrade to existing services, allowing for more efficient and reliable communication.

The C-band payload is designed to provide increased power and broader coverage, making it ideal for areas with high demand for communication services.

The Eutelsat 172B satellite also features a regular Ku-band payload, which will double the capacity at 172º East and connect to five improved service areas.

These service areas include the North Pacific, North East Asia, South East Pacific, South West Pacific, and South Pacific, providing a wider reach for communication services.

The high-throughput Ku-band payload on the Eutelsat 172B satellite is specifically designed for in-flight broadband, featuring multiple user spots optimized to serve densely-used Asian and trans-Pacific flight paths.

This payload will provide in-flight broadband connectivity over the Pacific Ocean, with an overall throughput of 1.8 Gbit/s.

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The Eutelsat 172B satellite was launched on a powerful Ariane 5 ECA rocket. This rocket is a reliable choice for satellite launches.

The launch operations were managed by Arianespace, a company with extensive experience in satellite launches. They ensured a smooth and successful launch process.

The launch site was the Guiana Space Centre at Kourou in French Guiana. This location is a popular spot for satellite launches due to its favorable geographic conditions.