Eutelsat Konnect VHTS

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Eutelsat Konnect VHTS
EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS sendo encapsulado.jpg
Eutelsat Konnect VHTS before encapsulation into the fairing of Ariane 5
Mission type Communication
Operator Eutelsat
COSPAR ID 2022-110A
Mission duration15 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type SB NEO 200
Bus Spacebus NEO
Manufacturer Thales Alenia Space
Launch mass6396 kg
Start of mission
Launch date7 September 2022, 21:45 UTC
Rocket Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA-258)
Launch site Kourou, ELA-3
Contractor Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric orbit
Regime Geostationary orbit
Longitude2.7° East
Transponders
Band Ka-band
Coverage areaEMEA

Eutelsat Konnect VHTS is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Eutelsat. Launched in September 2022, it is a Very High Throughput Satellite (VHTS) designed to provide high-speed broadband internet, in-flight connectivity, maritime services, and secure government communications across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Built by Thales Alenia Space on the all-electric Spacebus NEO platform, it features the most powerful on-board digital processor ever placed in orbit, enabling dynamic resource allocation and a total throughput of 500 Gbit/s in the Ka-band. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Launch

Konnect VHTS was launched on 7 September 2022 (UTC) aboard an Ariane 5 ECA from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The flight, designated VA-258, successfully placed the satellite into geostationary transfer orbit. It reached its operational geostationary orbit at 2.7° East after a series of electric orbit-raising maneuvers. [7] [8] [9] [10]

Status

Konnect VHTS entered full commercial service in October 2023. [11] Initial deployments focused on consumer broadband in partnership with distributors in France, Italy, and Spain. However, competition from LEO constellations such as Starlink and OneWeb (Merged with Eutelsat in 2023) impacted uptake in the residential segment. [12] [13] Despite this, Eutelsat secured an agreement with Türksat for in-flight connectivity using the Konnect VHTS satellite in 2025. [14]

References

  1. ↑ "Eutelsat Konnect VHTS". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "2.7 East | Eutelsat". www.eutelsat.com. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  3. ↑ "Eutelsat Konnect VHTS | Ariane 5 ECA | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "High-Speed Satellite Internet for Home & Business | Eutelsat". www.eutelsat.com. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  5. ↑ https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/konnect
  6. ↑ Ford, Dominic. "EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS". In-The-Sky.org. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "Press release". www.thalesaleniaspace.com. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  8. ↑ epp (7 September 2022). "Ariane Flight VA258". Newsroom Arianespace. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "Ariane 5 VA258". www.esa.int. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "Ariane 5: payload and geography open super-efficient path to GEO". www.esa.int. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  11. ↑ "Successful Entry into Service of the EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS Satellite". APSCC. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  12. ↑ https://spacenews.com/eutelsat-adapts-geo-strategy-as-starlink-reshapes-satellite-connectivity/
  13. ↑ "Eutelsat: "What a mess" – SatNews". news.satnews.com. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  14. ↑ "Türksat to Leverage Capacity on Eutelsat's KONNECT VHTS Satellite for In-flight Connectivity over Europe". live.euronext.com. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
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