Flexible payloads for telecommunication satellites a Thales Alenia Space perspective

摘要

This paper highlights the emergence of flexible payload solutions in the commercial market for most type of satellite services. It traces the evolutions of the market needs to better understand what is at stake with on-board flexibility. Flexibility features were developed by many payload / equipment suppliers over the past years, first for highly complex payloads targeting governmental missions, then deriving it for commercial applications. Thales Alenia Space points here new paths for flexibility to serve the SATCOM market. Different types of flexible payloads are described with their benefits and limits regarding the market. Today digital is on-orbit and enables both enhanced flexibilities & simpler mission design, with positive impacts not just on-board...