ESA readies flexible Ka-band satellite

PARIS, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- The European Space Agency says Hylas, a Ka-band satellite, has been shipped from England to India for integration with its platform for launch next year.

The ESA said the move was completed by Astrium U.K., the prime contractor for the flexible broadband satellite, supported by Avanti Communications, the satellite customer-operator. The ESA is a partner and co-funder of the project.

"The Hylas mission will address the large demand for broadband services in Europe that cannot be met by terrestrial networks," the ESA said. "It will provide capacity to serve hundreds of thousands of Internet users, and broadcast up to 30 standard-quality or 15 high-definition TV channels in Ku-band."

The Indian Space Research Organization is providing the satellite platform and will test the integrated communications payload in preparation for the launch by Arianespace, the ESA said.

"The Generic Flexible Payload technology, developed by Astrium, is at the heart of the communications module," said Andrew Murrell, the ESA's Hylas payload engineer. "It is based on highly integrated equipment that provides in-orbit flexibility to adapt the satellite's frequency plan and connectivity to match evolving market demands. The use of the newly developed, flexible traveling wave tube amplifier … enables further optimization of satellite resources by allowing power to be reallocated between service regions according to changing needs."