Tucked away in a vacuum chamber for several months, Europe´s largest telecom satellite has faced the harsh conditions it will deal with once it is launched into space this summer.
Alphabus is the first European Large Platform for geostationary telecommunication satellites of up to 22 KW payload power and up to 1400 kg payload mass. The Alphasat satellite is the first mission based on the Alphabus platform.
ESA will launch an Open Call For Proposals in March 2011 to support the Alphasat Application Development Initiative. To learn more about this initiative, a special workshop will take place at Inmarsat in London on Wednesday 23 February.
Europe's first 12-18 kW telecommunications satellite platform otherwise known as Alphabus is slated to begin its Development Phase C/D in December 2004 with a newly created European consortium. This follows the preparatory phase during which the level of co-operation between ESA and CNES has been exemplary allowing the first step in a race to reach the market.
Working on the high seas can be lonely separated from friends and family for weeks at a time. Communications via satellite close this gap by providing the means to stay in touch. Now, with ESA´s support, contacting shore is easier.
It´s not only superheroes from long ago in a galaxy far, far away who can harness the power of lasers. Thanks to human ingenuity and European industry, advanced laser technology providing ultra-fast and highly secure data relay will start operation in space next year.
Close to 80 participants, including members of Europe´s satcom industry, ESA national delegations and CNES attended the workshop, which focused on the four hosted payloads that will be launched on board Alphasat.
