EUTELSAT 115 West B, world first all-electric satellite, begins ascent to geostationary orbit

EUTELSAT 115 West B’s xenon-ion propulsion system uses the force generated by a thruster ejecting electrically charged particles (ions) at high velocities. The system uses xenon as its sole propellant and the electrical energy generated by the satellite’s solar panels for xenon ionisation.

Paris, 12 March 2015 – Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL) announces that the xenon-ion thrusters of the all-electric EUTELSAT 115 West B satellite have been powered up, enabling the ascent from supersynchronous transfer orbit to geostationary orbit to be initiated as planned on 12 March. Eutelsat’s new satellite was launched by SpaceX on 1 March.

The 2.2-tonne EUTELSAT 115 West B was prepped for electric propulsion orbit raising in the days following the launch by its prime contractor, Boeing, from its El Segundo facilities in California. Other key activities included full deployment of the satellite’s solar panels that was successfully carried out on 6 March, giving a total wingspan of 33 metres and enabling power to be generated for the electric orbit raising and activation of the communications payload later in the mission.

Orbit raising is scheduled to last for approximately eight months and will be followed by performance tests prior to the new satellite’s commercial entry into service in November 2015.

Equipped with 12 C-band and 34 Ku-band transponders connected to four service areas, EUTELSAT 115 West B will extend reach of the Americas to markets in Alaska and Canada, replacing the EUTELSAT 115 West A satellite that operates in inclined orbit at 114.9° West. It will focus in particular on serving clients providing data services, including broadband access, cellular backhaul, VSAT solutions and social connectivity.