Artist’s rendition of Eutelsat 172B

[Via Satellite 07-31-2014] Eutelsat has announced the manufacturer and launch provider for the early add-on satellite Eutelsat 172B. The company selected Airbus Defence and Space to build the 13 kW satellite with electric propulsion for both orbit raising and station keeping using the Eurostar E3000 bus. Arianespace was chosen to launch the satellite in 2017, which at 3,500-kg, will cut costs by launching with the Ariane 5 lower position.

Eutelsat 172B is an early follow-on satellite to Eutelsat 172A. The satellite will have three payloads to cover the Asia Pacific region. Panasonic Avionics is anchoring the high throughput Ku-band payload for In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) services. A regular Ku-band payload comprised of 36 transponders will more than double the capacity available at 172 degrees East, and the satellite’s third payload of 14 C-band transponders targets new markets in South East Asia.