![]() 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]