The testing completed in mid May in Bangalore, India was the Thermal Vacuum Test (TVAC). TVAC is the most demanding phase of satellite testing and it involved cycling the full spacecraft several times over a period of four weeks between temperature extremes. Its successful completion confirms the overall performances and the quality of build of the on-board subsystems.
Hylas, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between ESA and Avanti Communications (UK) will address the large demand for broadband services in Europe that cannot be met by terrestrial networks. It will provide capacity to serve hundreds of thousands of internet users, and broadcast up to 30 standard quality or 15 high definition TV channels in Ku-band.
"The on schedule completion of TVAC is a significant milestone.” says Mr. Andrea Cotellessa, the Hylas Project Manager. “In just four years from contract signature, we have completed the development and qualification of our advanced communication payload technologies. We have now demonstrated the full range of required performances in a simulated orbit environment: this projects us towards the launch campaign with great confidence.”
Astrium UK is the prime contractor leading the design and manufacture of Hylas and is responsible for developing the advanced Ku and Ka-band payload. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), located in Bangalore India, has provided the satellite platform. Other European and Canadian companies including TESAT, ComDev, and Casa Espacio are providing essential equipment for the communication payload.
A contract was signed between ESA and Avanti for the development of Hylas in 2006 providing support to the development of the most innovative elements of this new system. The satellite is designed to have a lifetime of 15 years, and will be launched into geostationary orbit at 33.5° W.
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