ESA Makes Research Investment in Next-generation Inmarsat System

by Peter B. de SeldingJuly 22, 2015January 23, 2023

Alphasat is a large telecommunications satellite primarily designed to expand Inmarsat’s existing global mobile telecommunication network. It was engineered and built by Astrium through a public–private partnership (PPP) between ESA and Inmarsat. It is the largest European telecom satellite ever built, exceeding 6.6 tonnes at launch. Its solar array, spanning almost 40 m, generates more than 12 kW of power. Alphasat is based on Alphabus, the new European telecom platform developed by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space under a joint contract with ESA and France’s CNES space agency.

The European Space Agency, continuing in its relatively new role as pollinator of near-term satellite telecommunications technology, on July 16 contracted with Inmarsat to conduct research on a next-generation Inmarsat mobile communications system.

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Peter B. de Selding

Peter B. de Selding was the Paris Bureau Chief for SpaceNews. More by Peter B. de Selding