Alphabus completed qualification at the end of 2010 and is now available on the commercial market to accommodate missions with up to 18 kW of payload power. The new developments within the Alphabus Extension programme will extend the range up to 22 kW.
Other improved characteristics include:
- Thermal rejection capability up to 19 kW (payload power) from 11.5 kW
- Payload mass up to 2000 kg from 1250 kg, at 18 kW payload power
- An increase of repeaters to 230 transponders from 190 transponders
- Double compatibility maintained with Ariane 5 and Proton 4 metre fairing launchers
The Alphabus Extension programme also provides opportunities for the European satcom industry to develop further key technologies.
“After the successful qualification of Alphabus, the Alphabus extension programme will put Europe at the forefront of the worldwide satcom market,” said Magali Vaissiere, ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications. “The Alphabus Extension will continue to be managed under the successful ESA/CNES cooperation.”
“The Alphabus platform is already available for our offers addressing the high power market, and the first satellite is in the final integration stage,” said Arnaud de Rosnay and Emmanuel Grave speaking on behalf of the industrial consortium of Astrium and Thales Alenia Space who jointly market the Alphabus product line. “Now with the extension in Alphabus capacity, we will be able to further extend our offer, beyond any other product available in the worldwide market."
Alphabus, the new European high-power telecommunications platform jointly developed by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space under a joint ESA and CNES contract, is the coordinated European response to the increased market demand for larger telecommunication payloads.
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