Eutelsat Communications, one of the operators of satellites leaders of the world, and Alcatel, hired in September, 2006 Alcatel Alenia Space, the European leader in systems of satellites, the design, manufacture, integration, tests and delivery in ground of the satellite W2A.

The principal mission of this new satellite, which throwing is foreseen for January, 2009, will be that of extending the aptitude of the band Ku to provide services of video, wide band and telecommunications in Europe, Africa and Middle East, and to reinforce the capacity of services of the band C available in the Eutelsat fleet for giving coverage in the whole Africa.

Eutelsat also has requested Alcatel the beginning of preliminary activities related to the useful load advanced in Band S 2,2 GHz for the W2A. The final decision about the throwing of the useful load in band S will be taken by Eutelsat in October after finishing an evaluation previous to the demand of the market, and the regulative and financial frame.

Based on the platform Spacebus 4000C4 of Alcatel Alenia Space, the W2A consists of up to 46 transponedores in band Ku and a new useful load in band C with 10 transponedores. The useful load in band Ku will provide up to 37 transponedores connected to a fixed bundle giving coverage to Europe, North of Africa and Middle East, which will provide to Eutelsat aptitude to offer services of managerial networks and of broadcasting, and additional capacity for the services enlargement. Additionally, they will get connected up to 12 transponedores in band Ku to the second fixed bundle attending on the needs for South Africa and the Islands of the Indian Ocean. The target of 10 new transponedores in band C is to give coverage to Africa, providing services of wide band and of telecommunications.

The useful load advanced in band S to 2,2 GHz that one will embark in the W2A, will allow the delivery, for the first time, of multimedia mobile services (mobile TV, digital radio?) straight to the user's terminals of the most important markets of the East of Europe. Consequently, beginning will happen to the construction of hybrid infrastructures on Europe, combining terrestrial networks and of satellite, providing universal coverage and services of mobile TV in interiors. The W2A will allow the same way direct communication with the satellite, for example for safety communications or management of crisis.

Designed for a useful life of more than 15 years, the W2A has a maximum mass of 5,7 tons throwing and it will provide to the useful load a potency of 11 Kw.


(SatCesc, 22/09/08)