Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has announced the signing of a contract with Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, to develop a next-generation software-defined satellite based on its Space INSPIRE (INstant SPace In-orbit REconfiguration) platform.
The satellite, named Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni, will deliver high-speed broadband connectivity services across Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East. It will be operated in partnership with Turkish satellite operator Türksat.
Built on the Space INSPIRE architecture, Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni will function as a highly flexible, fully software-defined satellite capable of real-time in-orbit reconfiguration. This allows it to dynamically adjust to evolving broadband demand while optimizing the use of onboard resources. Es’hailSat plans to leverage this flexibility to enhance communications services throughout the satellite’s operational life.
As prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space will oversee the satellite’s full lifecycle, including design, manufacturing, testing, and delivery, as well as the associated ground segment and services.
“The signing of this contract with Thales Alenia Space marks a defining moment for Es’hailSat and for Qatar’s ambitions as a leading satellite service provider. Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni will not only expand our coverage and capabilities into new strategic markets, but also strengthen the resilience and independence of Qatar’s communications infrastructure. We look forward to working closely with our industrial partner, Thales Alenia Space, to deliver high-performing communications services to our customers,” said Mr. Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari, President and CEO at Es’hailSat.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Es’hailSat for putting its trust in our company,” said Hervé Derrey, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “Today’s contract is significant for Thales Alenia Space as it recognizes our ability to offer an innovative, fully digitalized telecommunications satellite that can be reprogrammed in orbit, along with the capability to integrate hosted payloads serving both commercial and governmental requirements.”
The Space INSPIRE product line was developed with support from the French space agency CNES and the Programme d’Investissements d’Avenir (PIA). Several components from European companies within the product line also received backing from the European Space Agency (ESA) through two ARTES programs (Competitiveness & Growth and the Partnership Project, Novacom II) under the ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications directorate. The UK Space Agency also supported the development of the electrical propulsion module.
