 Artist rendering of the KA-SAT satellite | |
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | Viasat |
| COSPAR ID | 2010-069A |
| SATCAT no. | 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 | Baikonur 200/39 |
| Contractor | ILS[1] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
KA-SAT is a high-throughput geostationary telecommunications satellite owned by Viasat. The satellite provides bidirectional broadband Internet access services across Europe and a small area of the Middle East,[2] and additionally the Saorsat TV service to Ireland. It is positioned at 9°E,[3] joining the Eurobird 9A Ku band satellite. KA-SAT was manufactured by EADS Astrium, based on the Eurostar E3000 platform, with a total weight of 6 tons.[1] It was launched by Proton in December 2010.[2] The satellite is named after the Ka band frequency, which is used on the spacecraft.
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]
- ^ a b "KA-SAT Mission Overview" (PDF). International Launch Services. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 January 2011.
- ^ a b Jonathan 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 from the original on 30 December 2010.
- ^ Jewett, Rachel (April 30, 2021). "Viasat Completes Purchase of Euro Broadband Infrastructure".