ESA launches 'world's first commercial fully re-programmable satellite' into space

Science    31-Jul-2021
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Kourou, July 31: In the major development, the European Space Agency (ESA) on Friday launched the world's first commercial fully re-programmable satellite Eutelsat Quantum, from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
 
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Taking the social media handle ESA shared the pictures of the Eutelsat Quantum satellite lift-off and said "first commercial fully flexible software-defined satellite in the world."
 
The satellite was placed in orbit some 36 minutes after the launch. The satellite was placed in orbit some 36 minutes after the launch. ESA launched the satellite with the hope of a new era of more flexible communications.
 
 
  
About the Eutelsat Quantum
 
Eutelsat Quantum is the first commercial fully flexible software-defined satellite in the world. It is the first reprogrammable commercial telecommunications satellite to operate in a high-frequency radio range called the Ku band that is used for data transmission.
 
Eutelsat Quantum was developed under a European Space Agency partnership project with satellite operator Eutelsat and prime manufacturer Airbus.
 
 
 
Unlike conventional models that are designed and "hard-wired" on Earth and cannot be repurposed once in orbit, the Eutelsat Quantum allows users to tailor the communications to their needs -- almost in real-time.
  
Because it can be reprogrammed while orbiting in a fixed position 35,000 kilometers (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.
 
 
According to the news release, the satellite can be reprogrammed in orbit. The Eutelsat Quantum can respond to changing demands for data transmission and secure communications during its 15-year lifetime.
 
The beams of Eutelsat Quantum can be redirected to move in almost real-time to provide information to passengers onboard moving ships or planes. The beams can be easily adjusted to give more information when demand increases. The satellite can also detect and characterise any rogue emissions, enabling it to respond dynamically to accidental interference or intentional jamming.

 
How it can be reprogrammed in orbit?
 
The Quantum weighing 3.5 tonnes comprises eight communication beams, each of which can be reprogrammed within minutes to change its area of coverage and the power of the telecommunications signal it emits. These would enable it to respond to changing demands for secure communications and data transmission during its 15-year lifespan.
 
The Quantum is expected to offer mobile coverage for moving objects such as ocean vessels or aircraft, or to offer coverage after a natural disaster.
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