Thales Alenia Space to build Amazonas Nexus from HISPASAT

HISPASAT, the Spanish satellite telecommunications operator has signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space to construct the Amazonas Nexus satellite, which will replace and expand the capacities of Amazonas 2 satellite.

The new High Throughput Satellite (HTS) will enable HISPASAT to access new customers and markets, by delivering high capacity mobility services to the air and maritime transport sectors, among others. In addition, it will continue the provision of services to the current HISPASAT customers that use the capacities of Amazonas 2.

As prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space will be responsible for Amazonas Nexus satellite design, production, testing and in-orbit acceptance tests. Amazonas Nexus features a new generation Digital Transparent Processor (DTP) to increase the geographical flexibility of the mission to respond to eventual evolutions with respect to the initially envisaged commercial scenario.

The new satellite will have coverage over the whole American continent, the North Atlantic corridor (air and maritime traffic area) and Greenland, and will enable the provision of leading-edge telecommunication services in Ku band. Amazonas Nexus will be launched in the second half of 2022.

Commenting on the contract, Rosario Martínez, President of HISPASAT, said: “This project, which is of great relevance to respond to the continuous growth in the demand for connectivity, would not have been possible without the determined support of HISPASAT shareholders. At the Board of Directors, we are convinced that Amazonas Nexus will reinforce our competitive position within the satellite market.”

Jean-Loïc Galle, President and Chief Executive Officer of Thales Alenia Space, added: “I thank HISPASAT to place their trust in us. Today’s market volatility needs cutting-edge and future proof technologies. Amazonas Nexus satellite’s design combines ideally the digital agility and dynamicity with the robustness of our satellite solutions. The recent contracts, awarded to serve the European, Asian and now American markets, demonstrate the valuable benefit of Thales Alenia Space’s digital solutions to our satellite operators’ customers.”