The European Space Agency (ESA) has moved closer to implementing the first satellite based on Alphabus, the new European telecommunications platform, ESA announced.

Alphabus is designed by the ESA and the French Space Agency (CNES) to develop a new multi-purpose platform for the high-power payload communications satellites needed to power mobile and broadband services, digital radio broadcasting in Europe and elsewhere. The Alphasat satellite will be used on its proto-flight platform to carry out in-orbit validation of the platform.

It will be positioned at 25° East, with coverage over Africa and Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia.

The Alphasat program is to start in the third quarter of 2007 with a launch targeted by 2011.