Eutelsat Quantum & Star One D2

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

21:00:00

Friday July 30, 2021

Watch Replay

Official Livestream

Mission Details

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Launch Notes

Flight VA-254.

Star One D2

Star One ordered the new Star One D2 communications satellite from SS/Loral in October 2017. Star One D2 is equipped with C-, Ku-, Ka- and X-band payloads for high-speed telecommunications, television broadcast, and fast broadband in South America, Mexico, Central America, and parts of the Atlantic Ocean. It is designed to provide service for 15 years or longer and is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 platform, which has the capability to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. Star One D2 is based on the SSL-1300 satellite platform. The satellite is designed to deliver service for 15 years or more.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

6,190 kilograms

Eutelsat Quantum

Wiki

Eutelsat Quantum is an experimental communications satellite with a software reconfigurable payload It is developed jointly by ESA, Eutelsat, and Airbus Defence and Space. The Quantum programme is a departure from the traditional, custom, one-off approach to building satellites by offering a new and generic payload design. For the first time, it will enable users to request the performance and flexibility they need in terms of coverage, bandwidth, power, and frequency. The satellites developed under the Quantum umbrella will be cheaper and quicker to build compared to current methods by using generic subsystems and equipment, enabling larger-scale production and more efficient control of stock. Quantum will also be able to completely transform in orbit. Once in space, the chameleon-like satellite can adapt to new commands in coverage, frequency band, and power use, and even change its orbital position. This will make it the first generation of universal satellites able to serve any region of the world and adjust to new business without the user needing to buy and launch an entirely new satellite.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

3,461 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Ariane 5 ECA

Active 2002 to 2023

European Space Agency logo

Manufacturer

ESA

Price

$200.00 million

Rocket

Diameter: 5.4m

Height: 53m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 21,000 kg

GTO: 10,500 kg

Liftoff Thrust

15,120 Kilonewtons

Fairing

Diameter: 5.4m

Height: 17m

Stages

2

Strap-ons

2

Launch Site

ELA-3

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

24 days 3 hours

Stats

Ariane 5


110th

Mission

1st

Mission of 2021

European Space Agency


284th

Mission

2nd

Mission of 2021

2021


71st

Orbital launch attempt