Airbus to Build BADR-8 Satellite for Arabsat
Arabsat has awarded a contract to Airbus to build BADR-8, their new generation telecommunications satellite. BADR-8 will replace and increase Arabsat’s capacity and augment its core business at the BADR hotspot 26°E.
The BADR-8 satellite will be based on the Airbus Eurostar Neo electric orbit raising platform giving access to a wide range of launchers. The spacecraft will also include the Airbus developed TELEO optical communications payload demonstrator. This payload will enable very high capacity analogue optical feeder link communications, as part of the development by Airbus of a new generation of optical communications technology in space to be integrated in its future commercial products, which is highly robust against jamming.
"(This) is the first seventh-generation Arabsat satellite and the first Eurostar Neo satellite we are building for Arabsat after six previous Eurostar satellites. BADR-8 incorporates the best of our expertise and technologies."
Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems.
"This important contract with our long-standing customer Arabsat has a special significance for Airbus Defence and Space," said Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems. "It is the first seventh-generation Arabsat satellite and the first Eurostar Neo satellite we are building for Arabsat after six previous Eurostar satellites. BADR-8 incorporates the best of our expertise and technologies, including a very innovative optical communications hosted payload. This further strengthens our continuing strategic partnership with the Arab Satellite Communications Organisation, which has been connecting people by satellite across the Middle East and the world for more than 40 years.”
"(This contract) marks another milestone in our objectives to provide customers with premium satellite technology with the highest level of performance, and to expand reliability and service security," said Khalid Balkheyour, president and CEO of Arabsat. "BADR-8 will be joining our Badr-network at Arabsat 26°E hotspot, expanding our service over EMEA region.”
The satellite is scheduled for launch in 2023 and its electric propulsion system will enable it to reach geostationary orbit in four to five months, depending on the type of launcher used. It has been designed to remain in service in orbit for more than 15 years.
(Image provided with Airbus news release)