Eutelsat 172B in final testing. Photo: 17B

[Via Satellite 01-24-2017] Airbus Defense and Space has completed construction of Eutelsat 172B, the first high-power all-electric telecommunications satellite built in Europe, according to Airbus, at the company’s satellite assembly facilities in Toulouse. The satellite is now undergoing final testing before it is sent to Kourou, French Guiana, for an Ariane 5 launch scheduled in April.

According to a statement released by Airbus, Eutelsat 172B is the first high-power satellite in the 3-ton class. The satellite combines electric power of 13 kW with a launch weight of 3,500 kg. The satellite will host three distinct payloads that will expand Eutelsat’s ability to serve Asia-Pacific markets: a C-band payload, a regular Ku-band payload and a high throughput payload specifically designed for In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) along Pacific air corridors.

Eutelsat 172B is based on the Eurostar E3000 platform from Airbus Defence and Space, in its latest Electric Orbit Raising (EOR) evolution. This version relies exclusively on electric propulsion for initial orbit raising and all on-station maneuvers, while reducing mass which allows the satellite to be launched in the Ariane 5 lower position.