Airbus, ESA and Eutelsat have presented the new ground breaking multibeam active antenna payload today at Airbus in Madrid. Airbus’ ELSA+ (ELectronically Steerable Antenna+) is a first for commercial satellite communications in Europe. The versatility of its performance represents a step change for communications satellites with a spacecraft able for the first time to adapt to the customers’ business cases as and when needed by means of software control.
The electronically steerable reception antenna, works in Ku-band with eight independent reconfigurable beams. This inherent flexibility enables the operator to reconfigure the radio frequency beams over the coverage zone, allowing for an unprecedented flexibility in multimedia and broadcasting services.
In addition, these capabilities can be implemented on each beam either independently or simultaneously including hop up to several tens of predefined different configurations per beam (beam hopping).
Another new feature is the capability of the antenna to mitigate possible interference, intended or not, thanks to its ability to GEO locate any interference and null them.
This new antenna technology complements new generation fully digital payloads where the operator can thus change the orbit position, frequencies and the power of their spacecraft.
Airbus Defence and Space in Spain is the prime contractor for this advanced instrument developed over four years. Airbus led an industrial group that included a group of 12 European companies, eight of them Spanish, to build this advanced system.
Innovative design and manufacture of active antennas is one of the Airbus strengths in Spain. ELSA+ builds on previous developments such as: the DRA/ELSA for Hispasat 36W1, IRMA (In-orbit Reconfigurable Multibeam Antenna) on board SpainSAT for secure military communications, as well as the Gaia active antenna that transmits large amounts of data as the spacecraft maps a billion stars. These systems are all operating successfully in orbit.
“With ELSA+ we are entering a whole new game in satellite telecommunications, this is just a starting point and a reference for future missions,” said Fernando Varela, Head of Airbus Space Systems in Spain, “we are constantly evolving this technology, and Airbus is already developing the future generation antennas for the SPAINSAT-NG programme.”
This new development for the EUTELSAT QUANTUM satellite positions Airbus in Spain as the leader in Europe for active antennas. The project has been possible thanks to the support of CDTI (Spanish Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial) and the European Space Agency. Quantum is being built under an ARTES Partnership Project between manufacturers Airbus and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, operator Eutelsat and ESA. ESA’s Partnership Projects aim to achieve economic impacts and competitive leaps forward federating industry around large-scale programmes.
EUTELSAT QUANTUM satellite is a revolutionary step forward for commercial satellites, offering very high customization and flexibility. It will supply services with unprecedented in-orbit reconfigurability in coverage, frequency and power, allowing complete mission rehaul, including orbital position.
The mass of the satellite at launch is 3.5 tonnes and its design lifetime is 15 years. The EUTELSAT QUANTUM satellite is due to be launched 2nd half of 2020.
Malaysian defense company, Deftech, displayed a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) intheir booth during the DSA 2022 expo. The…
Airbus has performed a first A380 flight powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus’ A380 test aircraft MSN 1…
Cargojet has entered into a five-year strategic agreement with DHL, with a renewal option for an additional two years, to…
The Icelandic airline Eagle Air and the German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft have announced a renewal of their support contract…
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UPNM Malaysia for collaboration and training of faculty…
Meopta is displaying a wide range of military-grade optical gun sights, scopes, and night vision equipment at the Defense Services…
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia’s G7 Aerospace at DSA 2022 event on Monday (Mar. 28), Infoglobal…
Insight Atlantic, a Malaysian defense equipment supplier, is displaying a range of made-in Germany, Lowa tactical footwear in its booth…
PAL Aerospace and Thales have signed an agreement to jointly develop the next generation of mission system during the DSA…
Airod Techno Power (ATP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Honeywell International to provide Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)…
Advanced Defence Systems (ADS) has signed an MoU with Nexter on the third day of the DSA 2022 event, Wednesday…
In a public announcement released by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Wednesday (Mar. 30), there have been 54…
Sikorsky and Boeing on Thursday announced six new members, including Magnaghi Aeronautica and Collins Aerospace, of Team DEFIANT. The suppliers…
MA Group will provide the fully integrated landing gear system for the DEFIANT X helicopter, consisting of the nose and…
After spending about US$7.4 million on the project, the Australian government has cancelled its Project Air 7003, a program that…
AerCap has signed lease agreements for ten new Airbus A320neo aircraft and two new Airbus A330neo aircraft with ITA Airways.…
A routine service test for an Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft on April 1 has ended with a surprising result. …
Malaysia-based DefTech and Iveco Defence Vehicles are joining hands to establish an authorised MRO centre for Iveco Defence Vehicles trucks…
General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has begun the first installation of factory upgrades to a Gray Eagle-Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned…
FL Technics has launched a dedicated business line for wheels and brakes maintenance and opened a specialized shop at the…
ScioTeq has launched RDU-4208 LAD, its new full redundant Large Area Display (LAD) that can be deployed in new cockpits…
Etihad Airways, on March 31st., 2022, unveiled its new Airbus A350-1000, registration A6-XWB, on a special inaugural commercial flight from…
RGA-Black Stone Airlines, a newcomer in the Indonesian aviation business, officially started its business in the country after having its…
SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) announced that it has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Impeccable Vintage Properties…
Honeywell has signed separate MOUs with Malaysian firms Airod Techno Power (ATP) and Galaxy Aerospace that will further strengthen the…
AirAsia has announced that it will resume international flights from India to Malaysia and Thailand. Flights are now available from…
Embraer and the Brazilian Army have inked a contract to develop and implement Phase Two of the Army's Strategic Program…
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) officially inducted two Turkish-made T129B ATAK attack helicopters and an Airbus Defense and Space C-295…
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has been selected to support the Japan Coast Guard's (JCG) RPAS Project. Operations will…
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) S26T submarine acquisition project from China is at risk of cancellation due to Germany’s refusal…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2023. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.