Eutelsat Quantum satellite. Photo: Eutelsat

[Via Satellite 12-08-2014] With support from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the United Kingdom Space Agency, Airbus Defence and Space and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) are building a software-defined satellite for Eutelsat Communications. Dubbed “Eutelsat Quantum,” the satellite will be capable of complete electronic synthesis of “receive” and “transmit” coverage in Ku band, including on-board jamming detection and mitigation.

Eutelsat Quantum is also SSTL’s first geostationary satellite platform customer. The company is providing the SSTL GMP-T bus, capable of payload power of up to 7 KW and a payload mass of 450 kg. Airbus Defence and Space is the prime contractor for the satellite.

Eutelsat Quantum will be capable of actively defining power (in Mbps), performing footprint shaping and steering, and frequency band pairing. The first satellite is scheduled to launch in 2018, and can launch aboard the Ariane 5, Falcon 9 or Zenit vehicles.