Artist’s rendition of Eutelsat 9B. Photo: Eutelsat

[Via Satellite 03-11-2016] Eutelsat’s latest satellite, Eutelsat 9B, is fully powered up and now providing TV services to homes across Europe. The satellite, launched Jan. 29 aboard a Proton rocket, replaces Eutelsat 9A to broadcast a diverse line-up of more than 350 channels, of which 100 are in High Definition, to cable, Direct-to-Home (DTH) and Digital-Terrestrial-Television (DTT) homes. Having completed its mission at 9 degrees east, Eutelsat 9A will continue in full commercial service at an alternative orbital position.

Eutelsat 9B is a high-capacity Ku-band satellite addressing broadcast markets through a pan-European footprint with wide coverage and four regional footprints serving Germany, Greece, Italy, and the Nordics with the Baltics and Ukraine. With its entry into service, overall Eutelsat capacity at 9 degrees east has increased to 50 physical transponders (47 equivalent 36Mz transponders).

The satellite is also hosting the inaugural data relay payload for the European Data Relay System (EDRS) being implemented through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between ESA and Airbus Defence and Space.