Affordable service for niche markets
CX2 is a very small Geostationary platform for telecommunication applications meeting today's Geo communication satellite standards. With a wet mass of 1,300 kg this novel satellite offers telecommunication satellite operators competitive solutions for a small customer base, as CX2 is optimized to reach the Geo arc at very low launch costs. In principle, the innovative spacecraft can also be used for missions in other high orbits, or even for deep space applications. Its key technology is an all electric propulsion system, with which it is able to travel to its operational Geo location after separation from the launcher. As a lowest cost solution for Geo missions, CX2 is expected to attract budget driven customers in Europe and elsewhere for both commercial and institutional missions.
A very light but capable Geo satellite
Dutch Space, assisted by Astrium Satellites and together with a small industrial core team from RUAG Space and the NLR, is leading the development of this unique and innovative satellite system. For one thing: CX2 is much lighter than the more common Geo systems, which are weighing at least 2,500 kg, though still referred to as "small Geo satellites". But despite its low mass, the CX2 facility is able to carry up to 20 high power transponders, typically transmitting in high frequency bands (Ka or Ku).
Watch the CX2 animation in MPEG-4 format (35 MB)
Who is interested?
Geo operator investment decisions - for either a large, medium, small, or possibly very small Geo communication satellite system - are determined by the operator's outlook on business growth, or in other words, by the pace in which the transponders will be used profitably. A large satellite system that is able to carry a large number of transponders (100 transponders is possible today) has the advantage of a lower investment, considered per transponder and per year of operation. X-large is definitely preferred when a large customer base exists, or when it's expected to develop fast enough. On the other hand, a smaller, lower-priced solution is preferable if the use of all the costly transponders, operating at 36,000 km above earth, is expected not to be that intensive measured against the satellite lifetime.
The prevailing development trend over the years of Western communication satellites is towards larger, ever higher capacity systems. The ever higher costs can be justified by the more capable telecom payloads. As a result, communication satellites weighing less than 2.5 ton and with less than 20 transponders are almost not supplied anymore.
However, a niche market exists, open to Western suppliers. This demand focuses on the very low end market segment of Geo communication satellites with a capacity requirement of up to about 2 kilowatt; equalling a typical payload of up to 20 high power transponders. The one condition is: the price should be attractive, considering both the initial investment and the price per transponder. Specific advantages of such lower capacity systems are niche market services, geographical focus and autonomy.
Realization of a breakthrough in the costs of in orbit delivery missions is the main objective of the CX2 satellite system. Over the past ten years, an average of one or two low capacity Geo satellites per year has been ordered by commercial operators from Western (US) suppliers. These systems had payload capabilities similar to CX2, but were heavier and clearly more expensive to launch. Lowering of the investment is needed to offer a telecommunication service, which allows operators to enter markets that are uneconomical to exploit with the expensive systems available today. CX2 can realize these ambitions.
A variety of procurement objectives has motivated operators in the past to buy smaller communication satellites. These include satellite replacement or expansion of capacity and the opening of new capacity and/ or services. Typical other specific considerations are:
- Lower entry costs for new operators
- Risk mitigation for established or new operators to test new markets, services or technology with a limited investment
- Low traffic orbital locations
- Placeholder for new orbital slots
Technical requirements
The new CX2 satellite is optimized to access the Geo arc at very low cost as an additional payload for the launch vehicle. Therefore, the main differentiating technical requirement is a design that minimizes any possible effects on the launcher or launch process.
From the aforementioned requirement many of the technical characteristics follow, such as CX2's characteristic cylindrical shape and its use of electric propulsion. The electric propulsion enables the spacecraft to achieve its destined location at the Geo arc almost irrespective of the specific GTO launcher trajectory. This makes it possible to easily move the CX2 satellite to another location on the Geo arc to serve other parts of the globe.
The main performance characteristics of the platform are:
- Payload mass capacity: up to 250 kg
- Payload power capacity : up to 2.5 kW
- Payload heat dissipation : up to 1.725 kW
- Lifetime: 15 years
- Spacecraft mass : 1,300 kg to 1,400 kg (wet)
- Spacecraft power : 4 kW
Launchers
From a launch service provider's perspective the CX2 might even be seen as an "opportunity" payload or co-passenger. In many of its launches the Ariane5 has significant launch capacity that remains unused. So, utilisation of this otherwise idle launch capacity by CX2 on Ariane5 contributes to improvement of its exploitation. The design for CX2 was conceived with the Ariane5 launcher requirements as key driver, but is confirmed as an attractive solution on other GTO launchers as well.
Ministerial support
A major boost to the development of CX2 was given by the ESA Ministerial Council in 2008, where the Dutch Minister responsible for space called on ESA to develop the project as a dedicated Artes programme and committed 45 million euro as contribution from the Netherlands. A first launch of CX2 is anticipated for 2013.
