Ariane Flight VA258

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More about this launch

Press release: Ariane 5 successfully launches the innovative EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS satellite

Launch date: September 7, 2022

Payload(s): EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS

Customer(s): Eutelsat

Prime contractor(s): Thales Alenia Space

Launch vehicle: Ariane 5

Launch site: Spaceport, French Guiana (Guiana Space Center)

Orbit: Geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)

Status: Success

Arianespace’s third launch of 2022, with the second Ariane 5 of the year, will embark a geostationary satellite: EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS. The launcher will be carrying a total payload of approximately 6.4 tons.

Between 05:45 p.m. and 07:11 p.m., Sep. 7: Washington, D.C.

Between 06:45 p.m. and 08:11 p.m., Sep. 7: Kourou

Between 09:45 p.m. and 11:11 p.m., Sep. 7: Universal time (UTC)

Between 11:45 p.m. and 01:11 a.m., Sep. 7/8: Paris

Between 05:45 p.m. and 07:11 p.m., Sep. 8: Moscow

Payload

EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS

With an instantaneous rate of 500 Gbps, EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS will provide high-speed internet access throughout Europe, in particular in isolated regions with low coverage, offering a service comparable to fiberoptic networks in terms of performance and cost, thus making a significant contribution to bridging the digital divide. EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS will also address the broadband connectivity needs of fixed and mobile telecommunications networks, on land, sea or in the air.

EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS was built in France by Thales Alenia Space around the Spacebus NEO all-electric propulsion platform. It carries a cutting-edge payload using disruptive technologies developed with the support of the French Government, via the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and the “Investing in the Future” program (PIA), together with the European Space Agency (ESA). The payload notably comprises the most powerful digital processor in the world which combines agile capacity allocation, optimized spectrum use and support, and gradual deployment of network coverage on the ground.

KONNECT VHTS will be the 37^th Eutelsat satellite launched by Arianespace
It will be the 166^th Thales Alenia Space satellite to be launched by Arianespace.

DID YOU KNOW ?

EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS (Very High Throughput Satellite) is the largest ever built by Thales Alenia Space. It stretches 8.8 meters high (about 29 feet), as tall as a three-story building, and weighes 6.4 metric tons.