8.9 meter!Ariane 5 launches Europe’s tallest communication satellite
![](https://planetstimes.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Europes-tallest-communications-satellite-1-800x400.jpg)
The fourth Spacebus Neo satellite to benefit from ESA’s Neosat programme has launched into space on board the second Ariane 5 launch mission of 2022.
![EAP2 transfer from BSE to BIL. 07/22/2022.](https://planetstimes.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Europes-tallest-communications-satellite-2-scaled.jpg)
EAP2 transfer from BSE to BIL. 07/22/2022.
![EPC integration at BIL. 07/22/2022.](https://planetstimes.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Europes-tallest-communications-satellite-3-scaled.jpg)
EPC integration at BIL. 07/22/2022.
The 8.9 meter, three-storeys-high communications satellite – which will deliver high-speed broadband and in-flight connectivity across Europe for its operator, Eutelsat – weighs 6.525 tonnes and accounted for 99% of the 6.62-tonne launch mass.
![Upper Stage unpacking at BIL. 08/01/2022.](https://planetstimes.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Europes-tallest-communications-satellite-4.jpg)
Upper Stage unpacking at BIL. 08/01/2022.
![Launch vehicle transfer from BIL to BAF. 08/18/2022.](https://planetstimes.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Europes-tallest-communications-satellite-5.jpg)
Launch vehicle transfer from BIL to BAF. 08/18/2022.
![Launch vehicle transfer from BIL to BAF. 08/18/2022.](https://planetstimes.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Europes-tallest-communications-satellite-6-scaled.jpg)
Launch vehicle transfer from BIL to BAF. 08/18/2022.
Called Eutelsat Konnect Very High Throughput Satellite, it includes several innovative features developed under an ESA Partnership Project with satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space.
![KONNECT VHTS (CU1) integration on launch vehicle at BAF. 08/26/2022.](https://planetstimes.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Europes-tallest-communications-satellite-8-scaled.jpg)
KONNECT VHTS (CU1) integration on launch vehicle at BAF. 08/26/2022.
The satellite was launched at 23:45 CEST (18:45 local time) on 7 September from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, into a sub-synchronous transfer orbit. This highly elliptical trajectory, which loops from close to Earth to up to 60 000 kilometres away from the planet at an inclination of 3.5°, will enable it to transfer into a geostationary orbit some 36 000 kilometres above Earth.
![Payload fairing encapsulation with KONNECT VHTS (CU1) at BAF HE. 08/27/2022.](https://planetstimes.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Europes-tallest-communications-satellite-9.jpg)
Payload fairing encapsulation with KONNECT VHTS (CU1) at BAF HE. 08/27/2022.
After reaching geostationary orbit the satellite – the tallest ever built in Europe – will be tested further before it enters commercial service.
![Put logos on payload fairing. 08/29/2022.](https://planetstimes.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Europes-tallest-communications-satellite-11-scaled.jpg)
Put logos on payload fairing. 08/29/2022.
The satellite features new antenna deployment and pointing mechanisms used within the antenna tracking system, as well as other innovative features including next-generation batteries and structural panels, all developed under the ESA Partnership Project.
Elodie Viau, Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications at ESA, said: “I am proud to support the European space industry to foster innovation and succeed in the highly competitive global telecommunications market. Investing in space creates jobs and prosperity on Earth.”
Reference:
[1] Ariane 5 launches Europe’s tallest communication satellite
[2] Spacebus Neo
It looks so cool