XTAR-EUR X-band Service for the United States, NATO, and other Allied Governments

The XTAR-EUR satellite provides X-band communications services for the United States, NATO, and other Allied governments. The satellite incorporates high-power, wideband, transponders with flexible theater and Earth coverage, using fixed and steerable beams. XTAR-EUR enables high bandwidth use to small terminals, from its geostationary orbital location at 29 degrees east longitude. The payload provides voice and data for land and maritime applications. XTAR, LLC owns and operates the satellite, which was launched on an Ariane 5 ECA booster in February, and put into service in April, 2005. The spacecraft was designed and manufactured by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) and is based on the SS/L 1300 satellite bus. This paper describes the XTAR-EUR mission and the newly deployed satellite system along with its sister satellite Spainsat, and its design, performance, and operational system services.