TOKYO — Satellite fleet operator Eutelsat on Oct. 11 said its Eutelsat 172B all-electric-propulsion satellite, carrying a high-throughput spot-beam Ku-band payload over Asia for in-flight-connectivity provider Panasonic Avionics, had reached its geostationary-orbit position in record time.
Built by Airbus Defense and Space, the 3,550-kilogram 172B was launched on June 2 in the lower berth of a European Ariane 5 rocket. After initial checkout in its transfer orbit, the firing of its electric-thrusters began on Oct. 8.
The four-month . . .
To view the entire article, become a subscriber!
