EUTELSAT 36D Airbus-built satellite successfully launched

22^nd Airbus-built communications satellite for EUTELSAT

The Airbus-built EUTELSAT 36D telecommunications satellite was successfully launched on Saturday 30 March at 17:52 EST aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. EUTELSAT, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, selected Airbus in March 2021 to build EUTELSAT 36D, a new generation multi-mission geostationary telecommunications satellite.

EUTELSAT 36D is based on the latest generation Eurostar Neo geostationary telecommunications satellite and will provide TV broadcasting (DTH) and government services over Africa, Europe and eastern countries and has a planned lifetime of more than 15 years.

Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, said: “EUTELSAT 36D is the fourth Eurostar Neo satellite in orbit demonstrating our commitment to continually pioneering new technologies which better serve our customers’ needs. Our relationship with Eutelsat spans more than 30 years, working hand in hand with them to provide broadcast and data connectivity across the world, including to remote regions where it’s needed most.”

The all-electric EUTELSAT 36D, with its new enhancements in coverage and performance equipped with 78 physical Ku-band transponders, will ensure a seamless service continuation with EUTELSAT 36B. 

Eurostar Neo satellites combine increased payload capacity and more efficient power and thermal control systems with reduced production time and optimised costs as part of a fully digitalised production process. EUTELSAT 36D combines 18 kW of electric power with a reduced launch mass of approximately five metric tonnes, enabled by Airbus’ electric orbit raising capability, reinforcing Airbus’ position as the world leader in electric propulsion.

The Eurostar Neo family of Airbus telecommunications satellites is based on a next-generation platform and technologies, developed with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA), and others, including the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA).

The EUTELSAT 36D geostationary telecommunications satellite was shipped from Toulouse, France to Sanford, Florida, USA, on board an Airbus BelugaST (A300-600ST) on 11 March, a true example of pan-Airbus synergies.

@AirbusSpace @Eutelsat_Group #EurostarNeo #Connectivity #SpaceMatters