KA-SATis ahigh-throughputgeostationarytelecommunicationssatelliteowned byViasat.The satellite provides bidirectional broadbandInternet accessservices across Europe and a small area of theMiddle East,[2]and additionally theSaorsatTV service to Ireland. It is positioned at9°E,[3]joining theEurobird 9AKubandsatellite. KA-SAT was manufactured byEADS Astrium,based on theEurostar E3000platform, with a total weight of 6 tons.[1]It was launched byProtonin December 2010.[2]The satellite is named after theKabandfrequency, which is used on the spacecraft.
 Artist rendering of the KA-SAT satellite | |
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | Viasat |
| COSPAR ID | 2010-069A |
| SATCATno. | 37258 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | Eurostar E3000 |
| Manufacturer | EADS Astrium |
| Launch mass | 6,150 kilograms (13,560 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 26 December 2010 |
| Rocket | Proton-M/Briz-M |
| Launch site | Baikonur200/39 |
| Contractor | ILS[1] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
In November 2020, Viasat purchased Eutelsat's share of Euro Broadband Infrastructure (EBI) for $166 million (140 million euro), giving Viasat total ownership of the KA-SAT satellite and related ground infrastructure. The purchase was completed on April 30, 2021.[4]
Spacecraft
editThe spacecraft is equipped with four multi-feed deployable antennas with enhanced pointing accuracy and a high-efficiency repeater.[5]It is configured with 82 spotbeams.[2]Each spotbeam is associated with a 237 MHz widetransponder,allowing a databit ratethroughput of 475 Mbit/s per spot.
The spacecraft power is about 14 kW and the payload DC power is 11 kW. The solar array power provides up to 16 kW. The payload mass is about 1000 kg, the dry mass is about 3170 kg, the launch mass was 6100 kg. Themanoeuvrelifetime in orbit is estimated to 16 years.
Broadband Internet access service
editKA-SAT features a high level of frequency reuse enabling the system to achieve a total capacity of more than 90Gbit/s.[6][7]
The satellite operates in conjunction with ten terrestrialteleports(two of them as a backup) providing Internet gateway services, parts of the Eutelsat'sToowayservice,[5]all of them linked by the "KA-SAT ring", a terrestrial telecommunication high-speed network. The service is centrally operated from Skylogic'sNOCbased in Torino (Italy) (Skylogic is a subsidiary ofEutelsat).
Communication systems
editThe data communications used on the KA-SAT satellite are transmitted to and from equipment manufactured byViaSat:
- in the Eutelsat's teleports (Internet gateways), the ViaSat "SurfBeam 2" hub system;
- at the customer site, the ViaSat "SurfBeam 2" modem as acustomer-premises equipment.
"SurfBeam 2"is a modified version of theDOCSISprotocol adapted by ViaSat Inc. for the satellite physical link.
Satellite television
editKA-SAT carries the IrishSaorsat[8]TV service accessed using a KA-Band feedhornLNBF,for areas in Ireland where Irish Digital Terrestrial TV (Saorview) is inaccessible.[9]
Outages
editSince 24 February 2022, about the start of the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine,the ViaSat Internet service hassuffered disruptionsover some parts of Europe.[10][11]
According toMichel Friedling,Commander of theFrench Space Command,and Viasat itself, the disruptions were caused by a cyberattack.[12][13]
References
edit- ^ab"KA-SAT Mission Overview"(PDF).International Launch Services. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2 January 2011.
- ^abcJonathan Amos (26 December 2010)."Ka-Sat net-dedicated spacecraft lifts off".BBC News.
- ^Yang Lina (27 December 2010)."Russia puts European satellite into orbit".Xinhua News Agency. Archived fromthe originalon 30 December 2010.
- ^Jewett, Rachel (April 30, 2021)."Viasat Completes Purchase of Euro Broadband Infrastructure".
- ^abBenoit, Guillaume; Fenech, Hector; Pezzana, Stefano; Tomatis, Alessia (2010)."Ka-Band Satellite Consumer Triple-Play and Professional Video Services".Personal Satellite Services (Report). Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering. Vol. 43. pp. 74–85.doi:10.1007/978-3-642-13618-4_6.ISBN978-3-642-13617-7.RetrievedDecember 11,2022.
- ^"Eutelsat to Drive Satellite Broadband to New Frontiers with First Full Ka-Band Satellite Infrastructure"(PDF)(Press release).Eutelsat.7 January 2008.Retrieved29 May2009.
- ^"EUTELSAT KA-SAT - characteristics - Eutelsat".Archived fromthe originalon 2013-11-12.Retrieved2013-11-12.
- ^How to getSaorsat Official Website
- ^"Satellite giant Viasat probes suspected broadband cyberattack amid Russia fears".SkyNews.2022-02-28.Retrieved2022-03-01.
- ^"Satellite giant Viasat probes suspected broadband cyberattack amid Russia fears".Sky News.Retrieved2022-03-01.
- ^"Viasat's Ka-SAT experiencing service interruptions".26 February 2022.
- ^Michel Friedling (2022-03-03).Point Presse du ministère des Armées du jeudi 3 mars 2022(Video). France:YouTube.
- ^"Hackers attack Viasat satellite network in Eastern Europe".The Jerusalem Post.Jerusalem Post Group. 2022-03-07.Retrieved10 March2022.
External links
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