KA-SAT

KA-SAT

KA-SAT

Communications satellite

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.

Quick Facts Mission type, Operator ...

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]

Spacecraft

The spacecraft is equipped with four multi-feed deployable antennas with enhanced pointing accuracy and a high-efficiency repeater.[5] It is configured with 82 spotbeams.[2] 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.[6][7]

KA-SAT coverage over Europe and the Mediterranean Basin (different colors show frequency reuse)

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,[5] 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[8] TV service accessed using a KA-Band feedhorn LNBF, for areas in Ireland where Irish Digital Terrestrial TV (Saorview) is inaccessible.[9]

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.[10][11]

According to Michel Friedling, Commander of the French Space Command, and Viasat itself, the disruptions were caused by a cyberattack.[12][13]

References

  1. [1]
    "KA-SAT Mission Overview" (PDF). International Launch Services. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 January 2011.
  2. [2]
    Jonathan Amos (26 December 2010). "Ka-Sat net-dedicated spacecraft lifts off". BBC News.
  3. [3]
    Yang Lina (27 December 2010). "Russia puts European satellite into orbit". Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on 30 December 2010.
  4. [4]
    Jewett, Rachel (April 30, 2021). "Viasat Completes Purchase of Euro Broadband Infrastructure".
  5. [5]
    Benoit, Guillaume; Fenech, Hector; Pezzana, Stefano; Tomatis, Alessia (2010). "Ka-Band Satellite Consumer Triple-Play and Professional Video Services". Personal Satellite Services (Report). Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering. Vol. 43. pp. 74–85. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-13618-4_6. ISBN 978-3-642-13617-7. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  6. [6]
    "Eutelsat to Drive Satellite Broadband to New Frontiers with First Full Ka-Band Satellite Infrastructure" (PDF) (Press release). Eutelsat. 7 January 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  7. [7]
    "EUTELSAT KA-SAT - characteristics - Eutelsat". Archived from the original on 2013-11-12. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  8. [8]
    How to get Saorsat Official Website
  9. [9]
    "Satellite giant Viasat probes suspected broadband cyberattack amid Russia fears". SkyNews. 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  10. [10]
    "Satellite giant Viasat probes suspected broadband cyberattack amid Russia fears". Sky News. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  11. [11]
    "Viasat's Ka-SAT experiencing service interruptions". 26 February 2022.
  12. [12]
    Michel Friedling (2022-03-03). Point Presse du ministère des Armées du jeudi 3 mars 2022 (Video). France: YouTube.
  13. [13]
    "Hackers attack Viasat satellite network in Eastern Europe". The Jerusalem Post. Jerusalem Post Group. 2022-03-07. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
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