Airbus has announced that it has recently used one of its BelugaST (Super Transporter, ed.-) aircraft to deliver its second Airbus-built Hotbird 13G satellite for Eutelsat to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  

According to the manufacturer, delivery of the HOTBIRD 13G satellite was completed just a few hours after its twin, the HOTBIRD 13F, was launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on October 15, 2022.   

The flight, which departed from Toulouse in France, marked the BelugaST’s first operation to the US since 2009 when it delivered the European “Tranquility” module of the International Space Station to the Kennedy Space Center.  

Reflecting Airbus’ long-term goals for decarbonization, the Beluga used 30% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) during its latest mission, Airbus said in a statement released on October 17, 2022. 

“The ability of Airbus to field an autonomous European solution is underscored by the transportation of our satellites in the unique Beluga aircraft – a true example of pan-Airbus synergies,” the head of Airbus space systems Jean-Marc Nasr said.  

Both the HOTBIRD 13F and the HOTBIRD 13G are considered the first members of the new “Eurostar Neo” family of Airbus telecommunications satellites. Once both spacecraft reach the designated orbital positions, they are expected to expand television broadcasting with more than a thousand channels across various regions, including Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East.