Airbus Defence and Space signs contract for Eutelsat satellite

Airbus Defence and Space with Orbital ATK have been selected by Eutelsat, one of the world's leading satellite operators, to build the company's latest video satellite, EUTELSAT 5 West B, in partnership.

According to the terms of the contract signed between the three companies, Airbus Defence and Space will lead the team and be co-prime contractor with Orbital ATK for the development and construction of EUTELSAT 5 West B. Airbus Defence and Space will provide the communications payload operating in Ku-band. The satellite will be based on Orbital ATK's GEOStar platform.

Scheduled for launch in 2018, EUTELSAT 5 West B will have a launch mass of around three tonnes and 5 kW of power.

EUTELSAT 5 West B will replace the EUTELSAT 5 West A satellite at 5° West, a key orbital position serving mainly video markets in Europe and North Africa. EUTELSAT 5 West B will provide business continuity at this position via a Ku-band payload of 35 equivalent 36MHz transponders, connected to three service areas, with switchable transponders increasing commercial flexibility.