In a joint effort, Greece and Cyprus have moved forward in staking out their nations' place in space. From an orbit located, in aerospace parlance, 39 degrees East, Hellas Sat took the first step in expanding Hellenism's global reach with experimental transmissions from Deutsch Telecom-owned satellite Copernicus.
The Greek-Cypriot consortium leading the project comprises Greece's OTE Telecom, Hellenic Aerospace Industry, Cyprus' AvacomNet (with partner Canada Telestat) and the Cyprus Development Bank.
According to OTE chairman Lefteris Antonakopoulos, the satellite will represent "the main channel of communication between Greeks abroad with Greece and Cyprus." OTE holds a 25% share in the $250-million-dollar venture, Hellenic Aerospace Industry10%, the Cyprus Development Bank and Avacom-Net 55% and Canada Telesat 10%.
From provisory to long-lasting
With Greece's rights to its geosynchronous orbit due to expire last September if unused, the consortium rented Copernicus, now dubbed Hellas Sat 1, until it can be replaced by the new satellite (Hellas Sat 2) the group has ordered from French aerospace company Astrium.
A launch date for the vehicle, which will be employed by Hellas Sat to broadcast the Athens 2004 Olympic Games worldwide, has tentatively been set for March 2003. The 64-million-euro Eurostar E2000+ satellite, one of the most powerful models available, is capable of allowing digital TV transmission of up to 300 channels to home receivers as small as 60cm.
Originally inhabiting a different orbit, German aerospace had to nudge Copernicus into its new 'Hellenic' parking space, a project which began in late May and was completed in early June. Finally, the first experimental Hellas Sat broadcasts were initiated on Sunday, June 9.
The Hellas Sat satellite venture is a result of a deal between the consortium and the Greek and Cypriot transport ministries, designating the group as responsible for purchasing and launching the satellite (as well as others in the future). The satellite will have the use of the two countries respective frequencies for a period of twenty years. Meanwhile, in return for ceding the licence to use its orbital position, Greece will also have the use of three of the satellites transponders and will receive a cash payment of one million euros; the Greek-Cypriot government will receive an undisclosed sum for the use of its frequencies.
Copernicus' ID
The acquisition of the country's first satellite heralds a significant expansion in the nation's communications capabilities. Copernicus utilises VSAT (very small aperture terminal) technology, a versatile system consisting of receive/ transmit terminals located at dispersed sites all connected via satellite to a central hub. The satellite's thirty transponders will be capable of supporting uses including TV, Internet, telecommunications and multimedia services.
Measuring 4.9 by 1.7 by 2.5 metres, it will come equipped with two deployable antennas that will cover Greece, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe. In addition, two steerable beams will allow the satellite to broadcast its signal to a large chunk of the rest of the globe - including Africa, the Middle East, Russia, China, South East Asia and Australia. Greece and Cyprus will each have their own set of frequencies 24 for the former, 16 for the latter.
The satellite will remain in orbit for a period of 15 years, equal to the extent of its life, after which it will be replaced. It must be noted that, until now, neighbouring Turkey, with its three-satellite fleet, held a monopoly over satellite communications in the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans.
