An agreement between Intelsat and Thales Alenia Space was signed with the aim of building two software-defined satellites.

The satellites named Intelsat 41 (IS-41) and Intelsat 44 (IS-44)  are about to be in service in 2025 and they will join two Airbus constructed software-defined satellites – Intelsat 42 (IS-42) and Intelsat 43 (IS-43).

The new satellites will be based on the Thales Alenia Space’s innovative Space Inspire product line. This will give an opportunity for a perfect telecommunication as well as remarkable broadcasting performance. Stephen Spengler, CEO of Intelsat, says:

“Intelsat’s standard-based, open-architecture network design facilitates the incorporation of the best technology at any given time, further bolstering network resiliency. With the addition of Intelsat 41 and Intelsat 44, in partnership with Thales Alenia Space, Intelsat will blanket the earth with software-defined satellites, progressing the world’s first global 5G software-defined network, designed to unify the global telecoms ecosystem.”

The contract is supposed to give an opportunity for the advancement to continue while adding high-speed dynamically-allocated connectivity across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, commented:

“Our relationship with Intelsat has been so meaningful knowing that our attractive Space Inspire software-defined solution will contribute to the realization of Intelsat’s global 5G software-defined unified network,”

He also added that they are proud that their advanced satellite technology will play a significant role in Intelsat’s vision to reimagine the global telecoms ecosystem.