Multi-mission satellite Eutelsat 10B enters service

Satellite operator Eutelsat has seen the successful entry into service of the Eutelsat 10B satellite at the 10°East orbital position. 

Eutelsat 10B is carrying two widebeam payloads in C-band and in Ku-band to ensure continuity of the video services on the Eutelsat 10A satellite, whose operational life is scheduled to end later this year. The 10° East location that Eutelsat 10B occupies has been operated by Eutelsat since 1987 and provides coverage of Europe, the Middle East and Africa for video services.

Historic clients such as Arqiva and Eurovision will be able to benefit from resources and services at 10° East, said Eutelsat

With the satellite video market in decline, the satellite also has two multi-beam High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) Ku-band payloads: one covering the North Atlantic corridor, Europe, the Mediterranean basin, and the Middle East, offering throughput in the busiest air and sea traffic zones, and a second payload to extend coverage across the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, and the Indian Ocean.

Eutelsat says it already has capacity commitments from partners including Panasonic and Intelsat, who will rely on Eutelsat 10B to provide ships and airlines with mobile connectivity services, in air and at sea, for passengers and crews.

The satellite will also be used for Eutelsat Advance services, a global network providing connectivity to users beyond the range of terrestrial networks, through a satellite network-as-a-service offering.

Eutelsat 10B is an all-electric satellite built by Thales Alenia Space and based on the Spacebus NEO platform. It was launched on 23 November 2022 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Cyril Dujardin, General Manager for the Connectivity Business Unit, said: “Eutelsat 10B satellite will boost our global connectivity services with High Throughput capacity, to meet increasing in-flight and maritime demand. Eutelsat 10B’s Ku-band payload complements the Ka-band of the Eutelsat Konnect VHTS satellite, which will enter into service progressively in Autumn, reflecting our ability to serve our customers in both Ka- and Ku-bands with the best-in-class space assets. Moreover, this satellite brings innovative new resources that will be able to complement Eutelsat’s GEO-LEO offering.” 

Laurence Delpy, General Manager for the Video Business Unit, said: “With Eutelsat 10B we are bringing the newest resources and enhanced services to 10° East, one of Eutelsat’s long-standing, leading orbital locations and a key position for professional video networks. Satellite maintains an integral role in the media supply chain, particularly to support the live transmission of major news and sporting events. Our clients can look forward to an ever-better service with this powerful new satellite.”