Eutelsat Quantum: breakthrough reprogrammable satellite launches
Transmission beams can be reconfigured from the ground, whereas most commercial satellites are hard-wired before launch
Agence France-Presse
Fri 30 Jul 2021 22.53 EDT
The world’s first commercial fully reprogrammable satellite has been launched, ushering in a new era of more flexible communications.
Unlike conventional models that are designed and “hard-wired” on Earth and cannot be repurposed once in orbit, the UK-engineered Eutelsat Quantum allows users to tailor it almost in real-time.
The satellite was launched from French Guiana on Friday on board an Ariane 5 rocket.
Because it can be reprogrammed while orbiting in a fixed position 35,000km (22,000 miles) above the Earth, the Quantum can respond to changing demands for data transmission and secure communications during its 15-year lifetime, according to the European Space Agency.
The 3.5 tonne Quantum model has eight communications beams, each of which can be modified to change its area of coverage and also the power of the signal it emits.
Using software made available to the customer, these changes can be made “in a matter of minutes”, according to Eutelsat.
More:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jul/31/eutelsat-quantum-breakthrough-reprogrammable-satellite-launches
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