Eutelsat selects Airbus for key orbital slot with EUTELSAT 36D satellite

PARIS - Airbus has been selected by Eutelsat, one of the world’s leading satellites operators, to build EUTELSAT 36D, a new generation multi-mission geostationary telecommunications satellite.

The EUTELSAT 36D spacecraft will replace and enhance capacity at 36°East, a key orbital slot for Eutelsat for TV broadcasting (DTH) and government services over Africa, Russia, and Europe.

It will be the eighth satellite based on the-state-of-the-art Airbus Eurostar Neo platform, a significant evolution of the highly reliable and successful Eurostar series with an entire range of major innovations.

Eurostar Neo combines increased payload capacity and more efficient power and thermal control systems with reduced production time and optimized costs, as part of a fully digitalized production process.

With 70 Ku-band transponders over five downlink beams and a steerable antenna, EUTELSAT 36D provides flexibility and performance optimization to deliver service in Africa, Russia and Europe.

Due for launch in the first half of 2024, EUTELSAT 36D combines electric power of 18 kW with a reduced launch mass of 5 tons, enabled by Airbus’ EOR (Electric Orbit Raising) capability. It will have an operational lifetime of more than 15 years.

EUTELSAT 36D is the 26th Airbus satellite ordered by Eutelsat and it reinforces Airbus’ position as the world’s number one in electric propulsion satellites, with four full electric satellites operational in orbit and 17 additional full electric high-capacity telecommunications satellites under construction.