Airbus
Both EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F and 13G will have a spacecraft power of 22kW and a launch mass of only 4,500kg. Credit: © Airbus.

Airbus Defence and Space company has integrated the service and communication modules of the EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F satellite.

The integration marks a milestone in the production of the first Eurostar Neo satellite.

Last month, EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F communications module was delivered to Toulouse, France, by Airbus’ Portsmouth team.

The service module of the satellite was produced by the Stevenage and Toulouse teams.

Following the integration of the two main modules, the EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F satellite will be put through a final series of tests prior to its launch.

Airbus Space Systems Telecom Systems head François Gaullier said: “This is an important milestone for our new generation Eurostar Neo programme, and is all the more remarkable having been achieved despite the Covid pandemic.

“With increased payload capacity and more efficient power and thermal control systems Eurostar Neo combines major innovations with tried-and-tested technologies, resulting in a product line that will be as reliable as ever while delivering the best performance in the market.”

Airbus’ Eurostar Neo platform has been developed as part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Partnership Projects, along with French space agency Centre national d’études spatiales (CNES).

The project is supported by the UK Space Agency and other European agencies.

The communication module is designed to house payload of up to 2t and provide more than 25kW in payload power.

Both the EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F and 13G will have 22kW in spacecraft power and a launch mass of only 4,500kg.

Last month, Airbus completed the first key phase of the Skynet 6A project with the achievement of the preliminary design review (PDR).