Marine Electronics
Follow: 
Thales Alenia Space, a satellite solutions company has won another contract from Eutelsat Communications, considered one of the world’s largest satellite operators, to build a new satellite. The new satellite will be positioned at what is known as Eutelsat’s “21.5 degrees East” location and will provide for improved coverage in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. The new satellite contract adds to the over 20 orders for satellites that Thales has already received from Eutelsat.
The Thales Alenia satellite, called the W6A, is expected in increase the capacity for the 21.5 degrees East location over 50 percent compared to the existing Eutelsat W6 satellite. This is expected to not only dramatically increase the overall data and video power of the network, but also Eutelsat’s marketing power. According to Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO, “The combination of power, coverage and flexibility we provide at 21.5 degrees East has enabled Eutelsat to steadily attract ongoing business at this location over 10 years. We have designed our new satellite to further unlock the potential of this sweet spot for data, professional video and government services and are delighted to entrust its construction to Thales Alenia Space, a longstanding industrial partner for Eutelsat.”
With the announcement, Eutelsat also released details of the Ku-band satellite. The five ton satellite complete with 40 transponders will have two high power beams enabling it to quickly sweep the entire 21.5 degree region. Besides wide sweep capacity, the satellite is expected to also have a long life. Its orbital lifetime is rated at greater than 15 years.
For expansion of satellite services, the W6A will be based on the Thales Alenia Space Spacebus C3 platform. The satellite will also be solar powered. With a height of 5.1 meters, a length of 2.0 meters it has a width of 35 meters when its solar panels are fully extended.
Once built and launched, the W6A will join the other 26 satellites that make up Eutelsat’s satellite network. That network presently covers the entire European continent, the Middle East, Africa, India and large portions of the Americas and Asia, including Russia. Those satellites currently are responsible for broadcasting more the 3,500 television channels and 1,100 radio channels to over 190 million locations including 120 million locations in Europe.
Because Eutelsat has seen its revenues continue to grow, increasing nearly 11 percent over the last 9 months to 776.3 million Euros, Eutelsat’s contractors, such as Thales, are expected to see their fortunes grow also; especially those that offer data and value added services, and multiusage services. Revenues from these market segments at Eutelsat grew by 17 percent and 27 percent over the last 9 months, respectively.
Part of the value added services operation at Eutelsat is EutelSat Sea, Eutelsat’s maritime satellite services. These services provide fleets and vessels with satellite communications throughout much of the world. Eutelsat’s maritime operations are currently focused on providing improved broadband satellite services on a global level. Presently, the company has plans to expand its maritime coverage further into the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.
Besides data and multiusage services, video satellite services also command a lot of attention from Eutelsat. Although video revenue grew only 8 percent at the company, over 70 percent of Eutelsat’s sales come from video.
