Article Posted on : - Nov 23, 2010

EADS Astrium built HYLAS 1

KOUROU (BNS): The Highly Adaptable Satellite (HYLAS) 1 scheduled for launch in November has been fully fuelled and integrated with the Ariane 5 launch vehicle at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bangalore was responsible for the HYLAS 1 platform and satellite’s integration.

HYLAS 1, designed and built by Astrium for the satellite broadband operator Avanti Communications, is scheduled to be launched on November 26 between 6.39pm and 9.54pm GMT.

The Astrium teams on site at the Guiana Space Centre are now busy with final preparations for what will be the 54th Ariane 5 launch, an EADS Astrium release said.

HYLAS 1 will bring high-speed broadband services to remote rural areas across Europe, using its ‘highly adaptable’ payload, developed by Astrium, primarily at its UK sites in Portsmouth and Stevenage.

The payload operating in Ku and Ka bands is designed to allocate varying amounts of power and bandwidth to the different regions within its footprint, reacting to the highs and lows of traffic demand.

The UK Space Agency and Technology Strategy Board have provided support for the development of HYLAS 1 through the UK subscription to the European Space Agency ARTES programme.

Astrium was selected as the sole prime contractor for Ariane 5 in 2003. Astrium Space Transportation delivers the fully assembled and tested launch vehicle to Arianespace, the commercial launch service provider.