Toulouse, France — Airbus said Monday it successfully shipped the EUTELSAT 36D geostationary telecommunications satellite from Toulouse, France, to Sanford, Florida, USA.
The company utilized the Airbus BelugaST (A300-600ST), showcasing the company’s capability in outsized freight transport services. The satellite’s next destination is the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where it will be launched into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket later this month.
Philippe Pham, Head of Telecommunications & Navigation Systems at Airbus, said:
“EUTELSAT 36D is the latest milestone of our longstanding partnership with Eutelsat stretching back more than 30 years. It is the 22nd geo satellite we have built for them and will provide extended capacity over Africa and Eurasia.”
EUTELSAT 36D represents the latest generation of the Eurostar Neo geostationary telecommunications satellites. It is designed to provide television broadcasting (Direct-To-Home or DTH) and government services across Africa, Europe, and various Eastern countries. The satellite boasts a projected operational lifetime exceeding 15 years, demonstrating Airbus’s commitment to long-term service and reliability.
Equipped with 70 physical Ku-band transponders, the all-electric EUTELSAT 36D aims to continue and enhance the main legacy missions of its predecessor, EUTELSAT 36B. The upgrades include improved coverage and performance, ensuring the satellite’s robust capability in its service areas.
The transition to the new BelugaXL, based on the larger A330-200 platform, has freed the A300-600 based BelugaST fleet for global outsized freight transport services. This strategic move indicates Airbus’s continuous evolution and adaptation in aerospace logistics and technology.
This event marks a significant milestone for Airbus in the domain of space and telecommunications, as the company continues to expand its footprint in satellite technology and global communications.