The Ariane Heavy Satellite and its television broadcast payload - The first of a new generation of European satellites

The Ariane Heavy Satellite (H-SAT) is based on a new satellite platform conceived to match the capabilities of the European Ariane launch vehicle and designed for growth and adaptability to support a range of future communications payloads. The H-SAT platform will support a first payload mainly devoted to direct television broadcast, together with a supplementary payload concerned with millimeter wave experimentation. This paper explains the objectives of the H-SAT program, outlines the communications mission characteristics, and provides a summary satellite description. The industrial procurement policy and development plan are covered, and the paper concludes with a view of the foreseen experimental utilization program and some comments on the transition to future operational satellite broadcast systems.