ESA’s Hylas-1 released in space

WASHINGTON - ESA’s first public-private partnership in a full satellite system, Hylas-1, has been launched into space.

The satellite was released today into its transfer orbit after a textbook launch by an Ariane 5 vehicle from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Owned and operated by Avanti Communications plc of the UK and its key payload constituents developed by EADS Astrium in the framework of ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunication Systems (ARTES) programme, the Hylas-1 communication satellite will demonstrate advanced high-speed technologies and provide innovative broadband services across Europe.

The 53rd Ariane 5 (V198) lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana, at 15:39 local time (18:39 GMT, 19:39 CET) and released its two payloads, Hylas-1 and Intelsat-17, into their planned transfer orbits.

The satellite’s flexible technology means that it can modify its data throughput across the European regions it serves, keeping pace with market demand.

Within the next 24 months, two similar initiatives in partnership with satellite operators Inmarsat and Hispasat will foster the development of state-of-the-art technologies to serve the new needs of the worldwide market and Europe’s citizens.

“ESA’s cooperation with Avanti Communications on Hylas-1 is a rime example of a public-private partnership, a creative fast-rack for demonstrating and reaping the benefits of satellite igh technology as part of an operational mission,” commented agali Vaissiere, ESA Director of Telecommunications and ntegrated Applications. (ANI)