KA-SAT

Spacecraft

The spacecraft is equipped with four multi-feed deployable antennas with enhanced pointing accuracy and a high-efficiency repeater. It is configured with 82 spotbeams. Each spotbeam is associated with a 237 MHz wide transponder, allowing a data bit rate throughput 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. The manoeuvre lifetime in orbit is estimated to 16 years.

Broadband Internet access service

KA-SAT features a high level of frequency reuse enabling the system to achieve a total capacity of more than 90 Gbit/s.

The satellite operates in conjunction with ten terrestrial teleports (two of them as a backup) providing Internet gateway services, parts of the Eutelsat's Tooway service, all of them linked by the "KA-SAT ring", a terrestrial telecommunication high-speed network. The service is centrally operated from Skylogic's NOC based in Torino (Italy) (Skylogic is a subsidiary of Eutelsat).

Communication systems

The data communications used on the KA-SAT satellite are transmitted to and from equipment manufactured by ViaSat:

• in the Eutelsat's teleports (Internet gateways), the ViaSat "SurfBeam 2" hub system;
• at the customer site, the ViaSat "SurfBeam 2" modem as a customer-premises equipment.

"SurfBeam 2" is a modified version of the DOCSIS protocol adapted by ViaSat Inc. for the satellite physical link.

Satellite television

KA-SAT carries the Irish Saorsat TV service accessed using a KA-Band feedhorn LNBF, for areas in Ireland where Irish Digital Terrestrial TV (Saorview) is inaccessible.

Outages

Since 24 February 2022, about the start of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the ViaSat Internet service has suffered disruptions over some parts of Europe.

According to Michel Friedling, Commander of the French Space Command, and Viasat itself, the disruptions were caused by a cyberattack.

References

References

1. "KA-SAT Mission Overview". International Launch Services.
2. Yang Lina. (27 December 2010). "Russia puts European satellite into orbit". Xinhua News Agency.
3. Jonathan Amos. (26 December 2010). "Ka-Sat net-dedicated spacecraft lifts off". BBC News.
4. (April 30, 2021). "Viasat Completes Purchase of Euro Broadband Infrastructure".
5. (2010). "Personal Satellite Services".
6. (7 January 2008). "Eutelsat to Drive Satellite Broadband to New Frontiers with First Full Ka-Band Satellite Infrastructure". [[Eutelsat]].
7. "EUTELSAT KA-SAT - characteristics - Eutelsat".
8. [https://saorsat.ie/#how How to get] Saorsat Official Website
9. (2022-02-28). "Satellite giant Viasat probes suspected broadband cyberattack amid Russia fears".
10. "Satellite giant Viasat probes suspected broadband cyberattack amid Russia fears".
11. (26 February 2022). "Viasat's Ka-SAT experiencing service interruptions".
12. (2022-03-03). "Point Presse du ministère des Armées du jeudi 3 mars 2022". [[YouTube]].
13. (2022-03-07). "Hackers attack Viasat satellite network in Eastern Europe". Jerusalem Post Group.