Danny Alexander, UK Chief Secretary to the Treasury, today visited the headquarters of Eutelsat in Paris to discuss its new Eutelsat Quantum class satellite.
The model enables users of satellite capacity to define the performance and flexibility they need, with the ability to adapt to many different applications.
The first of this new class of satellite will be launched in 2018, manufactured by the UK’s Airbus Defence and Space and employing its flexible payload technology.
The project by Eutelsat, which serves clients including broadcasters, internet service providers and government agencies, will receive support from both the UK space agency and the European Space Agency through a Public-Private Partnership.
Danny Alexander commented: "France is one of the UK’s oldest and most important strategic partners. That’s why I’m visiting Eutelsat in Paris today, to learn about how British and French companies are working together to develop new and exciting technologies to ensure both our economies remain at the cutting-edge of global science and industry."
"The value of being part of the EU means that we can work efficiently together on business, defence and strategic initiatives without limits – as these satellites, which will soon be soaring into space, demonstrate."
Michel Azibert, Eutelsat Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial and Development Officer, added: "Eutelsat Quantum is a game-changer in terms of the flexibility and performance it will be able to deliver clients, continuing our tradition of initiatives such as Skyplex and KA-SAT that have delivered new technologies to users and expanded the scope of our industry."
"Thirty years after British industry primed our first generation of satellites we are delighted that the best of today’s British space industry will develop the technologies that will unleash further potential in the commercial space business."
