Boeing Defense, Space & Security is on schedule to deliver the world’s first all-electric propulsion satellites later this year or by early 2015.
The company said it has met all the important production targets on its initial 702 small platform (SP) satellites. The milestones include completion of static qualification testing, verification and assembly of the primary structures for 702SP inaugural clients Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) and Eutelsat.
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Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems vice-president and general manager Craig Cooning said that the company will be first to launch a commercial all-electric satellite, providing customers new flexibility and next-generation technology for increased performance.
"The all-electric propulsion design gives customers more affordable launch options and the ability to nearly double payload capacity," Cooning said.
Boeing said it is building two pairs of 702SP satellites under a joint four-satellite agreement signed with ABS and Eutelsat in March 2012.
Production of the 702SP satellites started in 2013 after the satellites passed the critical design review. The spacecraft are scheduled to be launched as a pair in a stacked configuration.
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By GlobalDataThe 702SP satellites are smaller variants of the company’s 702 satellites powered by electric propulsion systems, and will weigh less than satellites using conventional chemical propulsion systems.
Image: A 702SP satellite for ABS. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.
