Otis Singleton
The world's first all-electric satellite was the ABS-3A, built by Boeing for Bermuda-based ABS. It was launched in March 2015 and expanded ABS's communications services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The satellite was part of a stacked pair launched with a 702SP satellite built for Eutelsat, based in Paris. The 702SP product line was designed to bring the latest technology into the hands of customers seeking adaptable and affordable solutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the first all-electric satellite | ABS-3A |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Date of Launch | March 1, 2015 |
| Type | 702SP (small platform) satellite |
| Purpose | To expand ABS’ communications services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa |
| Power | All-electric xenon-ion propulsion system |
| Weight | 2,300 kilograms |
| Other Features | Dual-launch capability |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The world's first all-electric satellite was built by Boeing
The world's first all-electric satellite was indeed built by Boeing. The aerospace company completed production of the satellite in January 2015 and it became operational in September 2015. The satellite, called ABS-3A, is a 702SP (small platform) satellite that provides communications services to the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
The ABS-3A was the first of its kind to be built and launched, and it was part of a stacked pair launched in March 2015 with a 702SP satellite built for Eutelsat, a Paris-based company. The stacked pair was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The ABS-3A was built for Bermuda-based company ABS, and it expanded the company's communications services. The CEO of ABS, Tom Choi, commented on the satellite's ability to "strengthen and solidify our global expansion and offer flexible capacity to our growing fleet."
Boeing's 702SP satellites are affordable, lightweight, and efficient, and they can be stacked and launched together. The 702SP was one of three new satellite designs introduced by Boeing in four years, the others being the 702MP and 502 Phoenix. Mark Spiwak, president of Boeing Satellite Systems International, stated that the 702SP was designed to bring the latest technology to customers seeking adaptable and affordable solutions. The 702SP's dual-launch capability helps customers share launch costs, significantly lowering overall expenses.
The all-electric xenon-ion propulsion system contains a sufficient quantity of xenon to extend the satellite's operations beyond the expected spacecraft design life of 15 years. Boeing is a world leader in defense, space, and security, and it is the world's largest manufacturer of military aircraft.
Electric Cord Safety: Double Holes, Double Protection
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It was launched in March 2015
The world's first all-electric satellite was launched in March 2015. The satellite, built by Boeing, was called the ABS-3A, and was a 702SP (small platform) satellite. The ABS-3A was launched alongside the Eutelsat 115 West B geostationary spacecraft on a single SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The ABS-3A was the first of six high-power all-electric satellites ordered from Airbus at the time.
The launch of the ABS-3A was a watershed moment for the satellite industry, as it was the first all-electric satellite to be built and launched. The satellite was designed to bring the latest technology to customers seeking adaptable and affordable solutions. The 702SP's patented dual-launch capability also helped customers share launch costs, significantly lowering the overall expenses for the satellite owner.
The all-electric xenon-ion propulsion system contains a sufficient quantity of the inert, non-hazardous element xenon to extend the satellite's operations beyond the expected spacecraft design life of 15 years. The use of electric propulsion in satellites has several benefits, including reducing the volume and mass of the satellite, and consequently lowering the cost of the launch. However, one trade-off is the time to orbit; chemical propulsion can achieve this in days, whereas electric propulsion can take months.
The launch of the ABS-3A in March 2015 set a precedent for the wider adoption of electric propulsion in the satellite industry, with companies and space agencies increasing their investments in this technology.
Electric vs Cordless Razors: Which is the Better Shave?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It was built as part of a four-satellite deal
The world's first all-electric satellite was built by Boeing as part of a watershed four-satellite deal won in 2012 from satellite telecom operators ABS and Satmex (now Eutelsat). The ABS-3A, a 702SP (small platform) satellite, was the first all-electric propulsion satellite to be built and launched. It was launched in March 2015, along with a 702SP satellite built for Eutelsat, based in Paris. The 702SP product line was designed to bring the latest technology to customers seeking adaptable and affordable solutions.
The ABS-3A satellite was built to expand ABS's communications services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Tom Choi, CEO of ABS, stated that the satellite would "strengthen and solidify our global expansion and offer flexible capacity to our growing fleet." The satellite's all-electric xenon-ion propulsion system contains sufficient xenon to extend the satellite's operations beyond the expected spacecraft design life of 15 years.
The launch of the first all-electric satellite was a significant milestone, with companies and space agencies worldwide increasing their investments in electric propulsion. The technology, which has been used for decades in science missions, was expected to go mainstream in the commercial sector. Electric propulsion offers several advantages, including lower fuel consumption, reduced launch mass, increased payload capacity, and enhanced safety at the launch site.
Airbus, a leading manufacturer in the electric propulsion market, has played a pivotal role in Europe's first all-electric telecom satellite, Eutelsat-172B. This satellite, built for Eutelsat, employs fully articulated thruster arms and reaches its final working orbit above the Pacific Ocean. The success of Eutelsat-172B boosted the competitiveness of European products in the satellite market.
How Motion Sensors Work With Electrical Switches
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The satellite expanded communication services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa
The world's first all-electric propulsion satellite, the ABS-3A, was built by Boeing for Bermuda-based ABS. The satellite became operational on August 31, 2015, after a successful launch, testing, and execution of orbit operations. The ABS-3A was the first to be built and launched as part of a stacked pair with a 702SP satellite built for Eutelsat, based in Paris.
The ABS-3A expanded ABS's communication services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Tom Choi, CEO of ABS, stated that the satellite would "further strengthen and solidify our global expansion and offer flexible capacity to our growing fleet." The ABS-3A's xenon-ion propulsion system contains sufficient xenon to extend the satellite's operations beyond the expected spacecraft design life of 15 years.
Eutelsat, a French satellite operator, provides coverage over the entire European continent, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Eutelsat's satellites are used for broadcasting television stations, radio stations, and serving requirements for TV contribution services, corporate networks, mobile communications, Internet backbone connectivity, and broadband access for terrestrial, maritime, and in-flight applications.
In addition to Eutelsat, other satellite operators have also expanded communication services in the regions mentioned. For example, the European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Eutelsat) was originally set up in 1977 by 17 European countries to develop and operate a satellite-based telecommunications infrastructure for Europe. As of 2025, Eutelsat offers the same capacities as Starlink in Europe, although its terminal operations are more expensive.
UL vs. EU Electrical Standards: Who's the Boss?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It was the first of its kind to be built and launched
The world's first all-electric satellite was the ABS-3A, built by Boeing for Bermuda-based ABS. The satellite was launched in March 2015, along with the Eutelsat 115 West B geostationary spacecraft, on a single SpaceX Falcon 9. The ABS-3A was a small platform satellite, weighing just 2,300 kilograms, and was the first of its kind to be built and launched.
The ABS-3A was part of a watershed four-satellite deal that Boeing won in 2012 from satellite telecom operators ABS and Satmex (now part of Eutelsat). The deal sparked increased investment in electric propulsion from companies and space agencies worldwide, as the technology was expected to go mainstream in the commercial sector. Indeed, industry forecasts predicted that 50% of commercial telecommunications satellites would be all-electric by 2020.
The ABS-3A's all-electric xenon-ion propulsion system contained sufficient xenon to extend the satellite's operations beyond the expected spacecraft design life of 15 years. The use of electric propulsion offered several advantages, including lower fuel consumption, reduced launch mass, and increased safety at the launch site due to the elimination of fuelling. Additionally, the lower mass of electric satellites results in lower launch prices, as costs are directly related to mass.
The success of the ABS-3A paved the way for further developments in all-electric satellites, with Airbus leading the race for high-power all-electric satellites. Airbus has offered full electric propulsion for high-power and high-capacity missions, and its Eutelsat-172B satellite became Europe's first all-electric telecom satellite, reaching its final working orbit above the Pacific Ocean.
The Ultimate Guide to Wrapping Drumsticks with Electrical Tape
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The world's first all-electric satellite was the ABS-3A, built by Boeing for Bermuda-based ABS.
The ABS-3A satellite was launched in March 2015 and became operational in September 2015.
All-electric satellites are simpler, lighter, and safer. They have lower launch costs, lower mass, and increased mission capacity.
