Alcatel taps Harris to help deliver video to mobile devices in Europe

Harris has been awarded a contract by Alcatel Alenia Space to supply a 12-meter, commercial satellite antenna for the first European satellite infrastructure designed for broadcasting video, radio and data to mobile devices and vehicle receivers in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the UK.

The Harris S-band unfurlable reflector antenna will be deployed on Eutelsat’s W2A commercial satellite, which is expected to be in orbit by early 2009. The S-band system on W2A will be commercialized by Eutelsat and SES Global within the framework of a joint venture company which the two companies will establish following approval from relevant regulatory agencies.

The Harris S-band unfurlable reflector antenna will be deployed on Eutelsat’s W2A commercial satellite, which is expected to be in orbit by early 2009.
“We are very pleased to be selected by Alcatel Alenia Space for this program, which will help pioneer the delivery of multimedia content to mobile users in Europe as well as support security and crisis management communications services,” said Steve Marschilok, vice president and general manager of International Systems for Harris Corporation. “This sale represents our commitment to growing our integrated systems business and is a clear indicator of the potential international market for our broad portfolio of products and systems.”

Harris reflector antennas are key components in satellite communications payloads and take maximum advantage of the company’s space-proven materials and manufacturing techniques. Each Harris reflector features a lightweight, gold mesh reflective surface. The reflectors stow much like an umbrella for launch into space. When the satellites achieve operational orbit, ground controllers send a command signal to the satellite to unfurl the reflector. The reflectors are manufactured at Harris facilities in Palm Bay, Florida.

Based on the Alcatel Alenia Space Spacebus 4000C4 platform, the W2A satellite is designed for a lifetime of more than 15 years and will deliver 11 kilowatts of payload power.

Alcatel Alenia Space, the European leader in satellite systems, brings together the vast experience and know-how of Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio to form a new leading force in European space technology. Formed in July 2005, Alcatel Alenia Space represents a worldwide standard for space development, from navigation to telecommunications, meteorology to environmental monitoring, and from defense to science and observation. Alcatel Alenia Space has 11 locations in four European countries and more than 7,000 employees worldwide.