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e-Bird

First Boeing Spacecraft for Eutelsat, S.A.

e-BIRD satellite animation (Neg#: 00PR-01422)

Customer Eutelsat, S.A.
Paris, France
Spacecraft Boeing 376 HP
Launch
   Date
   Vehicle
   Site
September 27, 2003
Ariane 5
Kourou, French Guiana
Orbital Slot 33° E Longitude
Contract life 10 years

Eutelsat, S.A. ordered its first satellite from Satellite Development Center in February 2001. The satellite, e-BIRDTM, is a Boeing 376HP spin stabilized model.

e-BIRDTM offers capacity optimized for high-speed access networks providing both forward and return links via satellite. The spacecraft carries 20 active Ku-band transponders, each powered by a 33-watt traveling wave tube amplifier. The Ku-band transponders are connected to four spot beams that will provide coverage over Europe and Turkey.

Artist rendering of eBird satellite shown stowed and deployed.
Stowed (left); In Orbit (right)

The spacecraft will operate at 33 degrees East longitude, and has a contract life of 10 years. e-BIRDTM was launched on September 27, 2003 aboard an Ariane 5 rocket.

All Boeing 376 models have two telescoping cylindrical solar panels. These panels and the deployable antennas are stowed for compactness during launch. The highly reliable design makes full use of a nickel-Hydrogen battery during eclipses. The 376 design minimizes the number of required mechanisms and has never had a deployment failure.

Satellite Development Center is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites and a major provider of space systems, satellites and payloads for national defense, science and environmental applications.

e-BirdTM SPECIFICATIONS

PAYLOAD
Ku-band 20 active transponders
33 W TWTAs
ANTENNAS
2 Beam Forming Networks Using a Dual Orthogonal Polarized 2 m Reflector with Embedded Beacon tracking, Telemetry and Telecommand
Omni-directional Bicone for Backup Telemetry and Telecommand
PROPULSIONS
Solid Propulsion STAR 30C Apogee Kick Motor
Liquid Propulsion Bipropellant (226.8 kg)
POWER
Solar
   Beginning of life
   End of life
   Panels
1,734 watts (Autumn Equinox)
1,641 watts (Autumn Equinox)
2 telescoping cylindrical solar panels with large area gallium arsenide solar cells on forward and aft panels
Batteries 16-cell Nickel Hydrogen (141-Ahr)
DIMENSIONS
In orbit H: 7.83 m (25.69 ft)
(Antennas and solar Arrays Deployed)
W: 2.16 m (7.09 ft)
Stowed H: 3.16 m (10.37 ft)
W: 2.16 m (7.09 ft)
Mass
   Launch
   In orbit
   (beginning of life)
1,525 kg (3,362 lb)
888 kg (1,958 lb)

Public Relations
Boeing
P.O. Box 929119 (S10/S323)
Los Angeles, CA 90009
USA
(310) 364-6363
www.boeing.com/satellite

010035_011/1000/05-01