The Small Geostationary Satellite initiative (ARTES-11 programme) is the result of the decision, taken by ESA member states during the Council at Ministerial level in December 2005, to support the development a new European satellite platform product line for small geostationary communication satellites.
The workshop is aimed at introducing the ARTES-11 programme and considering ideas and plans from industry for the platform product line. At the same time it will be an opportunity to discuss with potential users and operators the possibilities offered for payloads and missions by this new platform.
| The Small Geostationary Satellite initiative is aimed at the development of a European, small, general-purpose telecommunications satellite platform, supporting a payload of up to 300 kg mass and 3 kW power consumption, and the launch of a satellite mission to provide flight qualification and in-orbit demonstration for the platform. |
This programme will allow ESA to support European industry in broadening the portfolio of products being offered in the telecommunication satellites market, covering a segment where no optimized European solutions currently exist. ARTES-11 will complement the AlphaBus (ARTES-8) programme, allowing products 'made in Europe' to be offered covering the full range from 2 kW to 18 kW of payload power.
