Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a major contract with Qatar Satellite Company (Es’hailSat) to develop a new-generation, fully software-defined telecommunications satellite.
Named Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni, the satellite will be built on Thales Alenia Space’s state-of-the-art Space INSPIRE (INstant SPace In-orbit REconfiguration) platform. Shared with Turkish satellite operator Türksat, it is designed to deliver high-speed broadband connectivity services spanning Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
As the prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space will oversee the entire lifecycle of the project, including the design, manufacturing, testing, and ground delivery of the satellite, alongside providing the ground segment and associated services.
The core advantage of the Space INSPIRE platform is its extreme flexibility. As a software-defined solution, the satellite allows for instantaneous in-orbit reconfigurations. This enables operators to adjust broadband capacity on the fly to match shifting market demands while optimizing satellite resources over its entire lifespan.
"This contract marks a defining moment for Es’hailSat and for Qatar’s ambitions as a leading satellite service provider," said Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari, President and CEO of Es’hailSat. "Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni will not only expand our coverage into strategic markets but also strengthen the resilience and independence of Qatar’s communications infrastructure."
Hervé Derrey, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space, expressed his gratitude to Es’hailSat for their trust, highlighting the strategic importance of the deal. "Today’s contract recognizes our ability to offer an innovative, fully digitalized telecommunications satellite that can be reprogrammed in orbit," Derrey stated, noting that the platform also features the capability to integrate hosted payloads that serve both commercial and governmental needs.