Es’hailSat taps Thales Alenia Space for software-defined satellite expansion
Qatar’s Es’hailSat has contracted Thales Alenia Space to build the Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni, a software-defined satellite for broadband connectivity. The satellite will use the Space INSPIRE platform, allowing for in-orbit reconfiguration to meet fluctuating demands across regions.
Key Takeaways
- Eshail-3 will be built on the Space INSPIRE platform, allowing operators to dynamically reallocate frequency and power while in orbit.
- The satellite project is a strategic partnership shared with Turkish operator Türksat to enhance regional high-speed broadband.
- Development is backed by the French space agency (CNES) and the UK Space Agency, which supported the electric propulsion module.
- Es’hailSat will act as prime contractor for design, manufacturing, and ground segment delivery through the Thales/Leonardo joint venture.
Why It Matters
The shift to software-defined satellites (SDS) addresses the volatility of regional broadband and streaming demand. By moving away from fixed analog transponders, operators can now pivot their reach to support high-density events or shifting population centers without launching new hardware. For the streaming ecosystem, this provides a more resilient infrastructure for live distribution and cellular backhaul in underserved regions. The partnership between Qatar and Turkey also signals growing regional consolidation to share capital expenditure on multi-mission assets. Watch for the initial orbital reconfiguration tests to see how quickly capacity can be redirected to active conflict or disaster zones needing immediate connectivity.
Additional Context
The Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni project represents a €295 million ($347 million) investment and is scheduled for a 2030 launch, according to statements from Es’hailSat CEO Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari in July 2026. Per Daily Sabah (June 2026), the agreement provides Türksat with up to 50 gigabits per second (Gbps) of capacity and secures Turkey’s strategic orbital rights at the 50 degrees East position. While Es’hailSat’s previous satellites focused heavily on television broadcasting, this next-generation asset is optimized for mobility connectivity, including aviation, maritime, and oil and gas sectors.
This move matches broader sector trends reported by ResearchAndMarkets (January 2026), which valued the software-defined satellite market at $4 billion in 2026 with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6%. The adoption of Space INSPIRE follows the anticipated 2026 launch of SES’s ASTRA 1Q, the first satellite in the product line. Per CNES (January 2025), the platform is part of a "FlexSat" niche that includes rival systems like Airbus’s OneSat and Boeing’s 702X, all designed to combat declining audiovisual revenues by offering versatile, cloud-controlled operations.
The strategic tie-up is also symptomatic of the expanding 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) market. According to Fortune Business Insights (June 2026), 5G-satellite integration is expected to grow to $141 billion by 2034. By utilizing steerable antenna arrays and digital processors, the Eshail-3 launch will allow Es’hailSat to mitigate localized signal interference and provide sovereign communications infrastructure as Qatar deepens its technical independence from terrestrial fibers, per SatNews (June 2026).
Read full article at broadcastprome.com
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