The EUTELSAT KONNECT communications satellite, launched by ArianSpace in January 2020, is now fully operational, Athenia Space has reported.
Eutelsat’s new geostationary satellite is designed to deliver large-scale Internet access to markets in Africa and Europe and will offer broadband services to companies and individuals alike at speeds of up to 100 Mbps. The Eutelsat-owned satellite is expected to cover at least 74% of the countries in Africa.
EUTELSAT KONNECT is the first satellite to be built on Athenia’s Spacebus NEO platform featuring full-electric propulsion. This new generation satellite platform allows satellite services providers to embark much larger missions into space while using greener technology. The all-electric propulsion system necessitates fewer amounts of fuel, and therefore providing more space for the payload.
The integration of the Spacebus Neo Platform into EUTELSAT KONNECT is a first for Athenia Space and is expected to pave way for more use in the coming years. The development of the NEO platform was supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), and the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) through the Neosat partnership.
Njeri graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Finance, from the University of Nairobi and is a CFA Level II Candidate. Currently an analyst at Space in Africa, her experience spans across Project Finance, and the analysis of Venture Capital & Private Equity Ecosystems in sub-Sahara Africa, with a particular interest in Sustainable Sciences.
