Eutelsat Plans New Class of Satellites

Eutelsat will develop a satellite program aimed at allowing clients to define the performance and flexibility they need from a satellite. The Eutelsat Quantum class of satellites “will set new standards in terms of coverage, bandwidth, power and frequency configurability for users operating in government, mobility and data markets,” Eutelsat said in a news release. The first satellite will be launched in 2018, and be manufactured by Airbus Defense and Space “using its innovative flexible payload technology and a new platform from its affiliate, Surrey Satellite Technology,” it said. The design will give customers access to premium capacity “through footprint shaping and steering, power (Mbps) and frequency band pairing that they will be able to actively define,” it said Monday.