Magali Vaissiere, ESA’s director of telecommunications and integrated applications. Photo: ESA

[Via Satellite 02-25-2014] The European Space Agency (ESA) is continuing its work with the Neosat next-generation satcom platform, planning for the first flights to take place in the next five years. The goal of this program is for European satellite builders to capture half of the world’s satcom market between 2018 and 2030, which is expected to generate more than $34 billion in sales.

Magali Vaissiere, ESA’s director of telecommunications and integrated applications, and Eric Béranger and Bertrand Maureau, prime contractors for Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space, respectively, have signed the contract for Phase-B of Neosat.

“Neosat will foster the competitiveness of European satellite industry and strengthen Europe’s position in the core satcom market for the next decade,” Vaissiere said. “This is a unique opportunity for Europe’s suppliers, as 80 percent of European satellite platform equipment is procured from within ESA Member States. This will be worth €7 billion ($9.6 billion) to those suppliers.”

This contract covers selection of the equipment suppliers for Neosat. Phase B is expected to last about 13 months, with Phase C and D starting in 2015 for the development and manufacture of the first two prototype flight platforms.