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What's the maximum number of beams? 8 beams at 3.5GHz is a very low capacity satellite, especially given that they likely cannot use all 3.5GHz everywhere.

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Seems that those 8 beams can be further subdivided in different spot beams (not sure how many subdivisions are possible though). Also, a previous article [1] mentions that they are actually limited to a maximum of 1 GHz/beam (I understand each of the 8 beams is limited to 1 GHz).

My impression is that this is more of a tech demonstration satellite (to test the new payload, resource management software, etc) rather than an actual commercial satellite, as the total throughput seems to be much lower than state-of-the-art spacecraft from other companies.

[1] https://spacenews.com/eutelsat-adding-two-more-quantum-satel...

I just responded to your other comment, so thanks for the SN article. I didn't realize the capacity was almost two orders of magnitude off what current and upcoming satellites are doing. I wonder who their customers are, since GEO satellites have been fighting to get the $(satellite cost)/Gbps down for years.

I think this was answered by your link: "Quantum was made possible by the British government, which is funding 90 percent of ESA’s commitment of 71 million euros in the Quantum program"

It's the government wasting a tremendous amount of money.

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