The European Space Agency (ESA) launched the world’s first commercial reprogrammable satellite ‘Eutelsat Quantum’ from French Guiana with the Ariane 5 rocket. It is a fully flexible software-limited satellite.
*Developed with satellite operator Eutelsat, Airbus, and Surrey satellite technology under the European Space Agency partnership program.
*The reusable satellite allows the user to use it again even after being launched into orbit. You can redesign it in real-time to suit the changing purposes of the user.
*The Quantum satellite is capable of responding to data transmission and secure communications requests over its 15-year lifespan and is said to cover areas from West Africa to Asia.
Key Points:
*The 3.5-ton quantum satellite has 8 communication beams.
*Each of these 8 beams can be redesigned to change its coverage area and the strength of the telecommunication signal it emits.
*Depending on the situation, it can be used to provide mobile coverage for moving objects such as aircraft or ships or to provide coverage after a natural disaster or for an event.
*Amid concerns about digital security, the satellite could take action to correct the interference by pointing to the appearance of signals emitted with or without malicious intent.