EADS Astrium wins first contract for latest communications payload technology
London 15 May 2006: EADS Astrium has been awarded a contract from the UK’s latest satellite operator Avanti Screenmedia Group plc for an innovative communications satellite known as HYLAS (Highly Adaptable Satellite). The satellite will provide interactive high definition television and interactive broadband services from its UK orbital position of 33.5 degrees West and cover 22 countries in western and central Europe.
This is a key milestone as it is the first contract for EADS Astrium’s latest communications payload technology, Generic Flexible Payload and Next Generation Antenna. The satellite will be a flight demonstrator for this innovative technology. HYLAS benefits from investment from the British National Space Centre (BNSC) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
The satellite will use the ISRO I-2K small satellite platform and is the second order under a new co-operative agreement EADS Astrium has with ANTRIX/ISRO.
The HYLAS satellite will provide new and innovative services including High Definition Television (HDTV) and interactive satellite delivered broadband services. The satellite will help address the issue of poor broadband coverage in many parts of Europe which have less developed ground infrastructure. The satellite with a launch mass of 2300kg, payload power of 2kW, and a design lifetime of 15 years is due for launch in 2008.
Antoine Bouvier, CEO of EADS Astrium said: “The HYLAS contract further proves that Astrium has world beating technology and the flexibility to adapt to meet customers’ needs. Under the contract, Astrium is prime contractor in charge of overall programme management and will design and build the communications payload, while ANTRIX/ISRO, will supply the satellite bus, and integrate and test the satellite. We are excited to work with Avanti and look forward to a prosperous collaboration.”
David Williams, Chief Executive of Avanti said: “This is a marvellous example of what can be achieved when government, industry and the City co-operate. HYLAS is a ground breaking project for the European space industry, driving forward technology and services.”
EADS Astrium UK Managing Director Colin Paynter said: “This contract for the first Generic Flexible Payload represents a tremendous endorsement of our research and development programme. The payload combined with the next Generation Antenna will give satellite operators revolutionary flexibility for bandwidth and channel assignment and enabling them to tailor capacity to meet changing demand.”
About Avanti
Avanti Screenmedia group plc provides satellite delivered television and telecommunications services. .Based in London, Avanti is listed on the London Stock Exchange (AIM).
Avanti operates two divisions: Media and Networks. In Media, Avanti installs and runs television channels for retailers, pubs and malls at or close to the point of sale. Retailers use these channels to entertain and inform customers, build brand, promote products and generate new sources of advertising revenues.
In Networks, Avanti offers broadband satellite Internet access and corporate network services.
In August 2005, Avanti was awarded by OFCOM the right to use the geo-stationary orbital position at 33.5°W with 3.6GHz of radio spectrum to operate satellites. Avanti will use this to provide broadband and television services in Europe.
About EADS Astrium
EADS Astrium is Europe’s leading satellite system specialist. Its activities cover complete civil and military telecommunications and Earth observation systems, science and navigation programmes, and all spacecraft avionics and equipment.
EADS Astrium is a subsidiary of EADS SPACE. In 2005 EADS SPACE had a turnover of €2.7 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of €34.2 billion and employed a workforce of more than 113,000.
Contacts for the media:
Remi Roland, EADS SPACE (FR) +33 (0) 1 42 24 27 34
Jeremy Close, EADS SPACE (UK) +44 (0) 1438 77 38 72
Mathias Pikelj, EADS SPACE (GER) +49 (0) 7545 8 91 23
Key technical features of Hylas
- UK Orbital position of 33.5 degrees West
- ISRO I-2K platform
- 2 Ku-band transponders with coverage of Western and Central Europe
- 6 Ka-band forward transponders with 8 spot beam coverage of various European target market countries
- Spacecraft launch mass 2300 kg
- Spacecraft payload power 2 kW
- Design lifetime 15 years
- Launch envisaged in 2008
