Eutelsat Quantum geostationary satellite platform at SSTL. Photo: SSTL

Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) completed the build of the platform for Eutelsat Quantum, the first Geostationary Orbit (GEO) telecommunications satellite that will be fully reconfigurable in orbit. The Eutelsat Quantum satellite is being built under a public–private partnership between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Eutelsat, with Airbus as the prime contractor.

Eutelsat Quantum uses technology developed by Airbus and SSTL in the U.K. under the ESA Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems Program (ARTES) and supported by the U.K. Space Agency. The platform consists of a composite central thrust tube, which houses a bipropellant chemical propulsion system that will enable the satellite to stay on station throughout its 15 year lifetime.

“The completion of our work on the Eutelsat Quantum satellite platform is an important milestone for SSTL as it represents our first venture into the global commercial telecoms satellite market,” said SSTL Managing Director Sarah Parker. “The design and assembly of this innovative spacecraft has enabled us to advance the knowledge and skills required to develop highly capable satellite products for the evolving telecoms market, where we are actively engaged in seeking new opportunities.”