Space to Connect
The satellite communications market is in constant flux, with manufacturers developing made-to-measure solutions to keep pace with operators’ new needs. End-users’ expectations are well known: anywhere, anytime connectivity—including on the move—and access to increasing amounts of data. There remains the unresolved problem of “not spots”, underserved and often remote areas without sufficient communications infrastructure on the ground, where fiber most likely has yet to reach. Bridging the digital divide is still a key social issue, including in Europe. Telecommunications, and digital communications systems in particular, are clearly the best solution to match demand in a fiercely competitive and fast-moving market.
Made-to-measure solutions for operators
Thales Alenia Space offers a range of product lines to meet the new expectations of the telecom market. Our proven Spacebus 4000 B2 platform is ideally suited to the regional requirements of telecoms operators. The SES-22 C-band satellite built around this spacecraft bus was successfully launched in June 2022. The same year, SES ordered an innovative, flexible and fully reconfigurable satellite SES-26 based on our Space INSPIRE solution. We have also designed and built satellites around the all-electric Spacebus NEO platform.
Using electric thrusters increases payload capacity, affording more flexibility for operators. Spacebus NEO is the perfect fit for very high throughput satellites (VHTS), helping bridge the digital divide across the globe. Our latest Space INSPIRE product line—an extremely flexible software-defined digital solution that can be reconfigured in orbit—was selected by numerous telecommunications operators over the last 3 years.
A major player in the telecommunications market
2021 was a key year for Thales Alenia Space, with the award of five geostationary communications satellite contracts: SICRAL 3A and SICRAL 3B for the Italian Ministry of Defense, the Indonesian HTS 113BT satellite for operator Telkomsat, and two new satellites, ASTRA 1P and ASTRA 1Q, for SES. 2022 was a standout year for Space INSPIRE. Our company was awarded 6 geostationary telecommunications satellites as prime contractor, including 5 based on our new Space INSPIRE solution. In 2024, Thales Alenia Space was awarded a contract by Japanese operator SKY Perfect JSAT to build JSAT-31, a new generation of software-defined satellite based on our Space INSPIRE solution.
JSAT-31 High Throughput Satellite will offer high-speed broadband services over Japan, South-East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific islands. In 2025, Space Norway selected Thales Alenia Space to build THOR 8, a communications satellite based on the Spacebus 4000B2 platform. It will provide connectivity services for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. THOR 8 will support broadcast and high-speed internet access across land, sea and air. SKY Perfect JSAT also renewed its trust in Thales Alenia Space with a second order. The JSAT-32 satellite will cover Japan and its surrounding seas. It will operate in the Ku and Ka bands and will feature spot beams for mobility services. Also based on the Spacebus 4000B2 platform, JSAT-32 will replace part of the existing SKY Perfect JSAT fleet.
Bringing digital connectivity to all
Operating alongside terrestrial infrastructure, satellite communication systems deliver a whole host of services — TV and radio broadcasting, fast broadband internet and more — to bring digital connectivity to all. Launched in 2021, SES-17 is a geostationary broadband communications satellite designed to offer SES customers the experience of always-on mobile connectivity. With coverage spanning the Americas, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean, this satellite, built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor, came on stream in June 2022. Our company is also prime contractor for EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS, the most powerful satellite ever built in Europe. Successfully launched in 2022, it will provide very-high-throughput internet across Europe, including remote regions with patchy coverage, offering service on a par with terrestrial fiber networks.
EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS will deliver 500 Gbps capacity across the continent and play a significant role in bridging the digital divide. We also built the SATRIA satellite, which is helping bridge the gap in Indonesia. Successfully launched in June 2023, this very-high-throughput communications satellite will connect thousands of schools, hospitals, public buildings, and government facilities not already served by current satellite or terrestrial systems. Earlier the same year, the Spacebus NEO-based Amazonas Nexus satellite was also successfully orbited. This impressive satellite is now covering the whole American continent, the North Atlantic corridor (zone of air and sea traffic) and even Greenland. In 2024, SES’ ASTRA 1P satellite was successfully launched. Based on our capacitive Spacebus platform, the satellite was designed and developed to serve 119 million TV homes in Europe and will help ensure continuity of SES services until 2040.
3 telecom constellations as prime contractor
Thales Alenia Space has always been a go-to partner for constellations. After helping to build nearly 70% of the first Globalstar constellation, we were the prime contractor for three other constellations of communications satellites in medium and low Earth orbit, with Globalstar 2, O3b and Iridium® NEXT. Thales Alenia Space has drawn on its expertise in constellations, Earth observation and satellite navigation, partnering with small and mid-sized firms and startups to address new markets for high-revisit-rate optical Earth observation, space surveillance and the Internet of Things (IoT).
