Toulouse. TIBA-1, the communications satellite for the Government of Egypt developed by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space (TAS) left the Airbus Defence and Space clean rooms in Toulouse. The spacecraft was flown to French Guiana today, ahead of its launch from Kourou on an Ariane 5.

Airbus Defence and Space and TAS are jointly responsible for building TIBA-1 and delivering it in orbit. Airbus Defence and Space, supplied the Eurostar E3000 platform and assembled and tested the spacecraft. TAS, the leading partner, designed and built the communications payload, featuring a dual mission in Ka-band for secure and broadband communications.

TIBA-1, designed to remain in service in orbit for more than 15 years, will have a launch mass of 5,600 kg and an electric power capability of higher than 9 kW.