Thales has delivered its Dual Travelling Wave Tubes (Dual-TWTs) for the ASTRA 1Q satellite, built by Thales Alenia Space. These advanced amplification components are designed to enhance active-antenna systems in software-defined flexible satellites.

The Dual-TWT technology offers reduced weight and size while maintaining high performance, meeting the needs of reconfigurable satellites operating in Ku and Ka frequency bands. The ASTRA 1Q satellite is part of Thales Alenia Space’s Space INSPIRE product line, which allows in-orbit reconfiguration to adapt to evolving market demands.

Developed with support from CNES and the European Space Agency (ESA) through ARTES programs, the Space INSPIRE platform integrates European-sourced components to enhance telecom satellite flexibility.

Thales' Dual-TWTs are produced at facilities in Ulm, Germany, and Thonon-les-Bains and Vélizy, France. Their integration into ASTRA 1Q strengthens the spacecraft’s communication capabilities.

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Charles-Antoine Goffin, Vice President of Microwave and Imaging Systems at Thales, stated, “Our successful delivery of this shipset for the first flight model illustrates Thales’ ability to quickly supply cutting-edge technology solutions that will shape the future of space communications.”