Page 60 - SAMENA Trends - October 2021

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Data-Driven Satellite Ready to Launch

The SES-17 satellite, built by Thales Agency CNES. The project includes the Spacebus Neo by Thales Alenia Space
Alenia Space, introduces cutting-edge full end-to-end system to manage the and Eurostar Neo by Airbus. It includes
innovations that were developed with satellite and ground network resources, development up to in-orbit validation
ESA’s program of Advanced Research in a key aspect for the next generation of of new satellite product lines for both
Telecommunication Systems to support very high throughput satellites. It allows companies, allowing the European space
the European space industry in the highly for the reconfiguration of the payload, industry to deliver competitive satellites
competitive global telecommunications adapting to user needs in real time. SES- for the global commercial satellite market.
market. A fifth-generation digital 17 is the third Spacebus Neo satellite To date, 15 Neosat satellites have been
transparent processor developed by Thales and is due to be launched together with sold by European industry to six satellite
Alenia Space with the support of the French Syracuse 4, another Spacebus Neo operators, generating exceptional return
Space Agency CNES and ESA is at the heart satellite, on an Ariane 5 on 23 October. on investment to industry and participating
of this high-speed “switchboard in the sky” ESA’s Neosat program comprises both states.
satellite. The unit can be fully programmed
while in orbit, to route signals between
people on board planes to the ground, for
example. SES-17 will have nearly 200 user
beams that can be connected to any other
beam at any time. This combined with the
ability to dynamically change the power
and frequency allocation of any beam
means that the satellite can adapt to SES’s
customer evolving needs in real time.
This demanding mission is only possible
thanks to a novel cooling system that was
developed under the industry-initiated
Spacebus Neo Partnership Project. The
system is the first mechanically pumped
loop to be used on large commercial
telecommunications satellites. The
Spacebus Neo program is a Partnership
Project with satellite manufacturer Thales
Alenia Space, ESA and the French Space

Starlink Seeks LEO Satellite Spectrum Boost from Vodafone UK

SpaceX’s Starlink service, which delivers and uploads of c.20Mbps (such figures band had previously been indicated as
ultrafast low latency broadband across the should improve as the network grows). one that could be used for multi-gigabit
world via a mega constellation of satellites The final commercial launch of Starlink is speed UK mmW (millimeter wave) based
in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), is reportedly one expected anytime now, but meanwhile it’s 5G mobile or fixed wireless broadband
of several operators that may be “close to been reported (Telegraph) that they may be services, but the limited coverage and
striking a deal” to secure some of Vodafone “close” to licensing some radio spectrum high cost of deployment in that band
UK’s radio spectrum to help boost their from Vodafone UK in order to boost their has stunted progress. The regulator
network capacity. Starlink has already network links and capacity (this could likes to see spectrum holdings being
launched around 1,800 LEOs into space result in improved performance for properly utilized, so this may be one way
(over 1,600 are active) and their initial plan customers). A spokesperson for Vodafone for Vodafone to make some money off it,
is to deploy a total of 4,425 by 2024. At said: “Regarding satellite spectrum … we while still retaining control. At present,
present, beta customers in the UK typically are in talks with multiple operators. We’re it’s unclear whether Starlink are after all
pay a hefty £89 a month for the service, plus close to striking a deal.” Vodafone has of their holdings in the band or only part
£54 for shipping and £439 ($499) for the previously informed Ofcom that they were of it. Nevertheless, SpaceX are constantly
kit (dish, router etc.). But for that you can open to such talks with satellite operators, on the hunt for more spectrum and ground
expect unlimited usage, fast latency times with the focus being on their holdings in stations to help improve their network
of 20-40ms, downloads of c. 50-150Mbps the 28GHz band. Interestingly, the 28GHz coverage and performance.

60 OCTOBER 2021