Reprogrammable OneSat on track for success
The OneSat family of geostationary software-defined telecommunications satellites has passed its first qualification review.
The first part of the OneSat qualification review has successfully demonstrated the maturity of the various developments to safely proceed towards the start of satellite integration activities.
OneSat is setting a new paradigm for geostationary telecommunication satellites by using software to enable it to be reprogrammed while in space and using off-the-shelf commercial components.
The OneSat satellite product line is developed and validated under an ESA Novacom Partnership Project with satellite manufacturer Airbus and many suppliers from eight ESA Member States, in collaboration with the French Space Agency (CNES). The UK Space Agency is another important contributor to OneSat activities, notably by supporting its payload and structure developments.
In particular, the review has confirmed French company Safran as the baseline supplier for the electric thrusters. It also demonstrated the successful qualification of a new xenon flow regulator designed and manufactured by Advanced Space Technologies, a dynamic small and medium enterprise in Germany.
Airbus has already sold seven different OneSats satellites to various commercial customers, and still counting.
Onesat qualification will be completed with the system tests performed on the assembled satellite.
Through the OneSat Partnership Project, ESA, in collaboration with CNES and the UK Space Agency, helps Airbus and its European partners to shape the future of geostationary satellites. ESA, CNES and the UK Space Agency work closely with the Airbus development team using an efficient co-management approach, tailored to commercial best practices, that maximises the benefits to industry.
