LATEST NEWS
Connectivity and Secure Communications programmes receive €2.1 billion at CM25 to continue driving competitive satellite communications
December 10, 2025 • 14:28
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ESA-supported SpainSat NG II success builds towards next-gen secure satellite communications
November 25, 2025 • 11:09
Publication date
28 Jul 2003
ECS-4 was one of the first European Communications Satellites to cover the whole European continent, enabling coverage for cable television, telephone communications, specialised services and Eurovision transmissions.
ECS-4/Eutelsat I-F4 (click
for larger image)
ESA developed and launched 5 European Communications Satellites between 1983 and 1988 for use by Eutelsat. The ECS system anticipated the need for digital transmission techniques for telephony, allowing for high-speed data traffic.
The ECS system has accumulated more than 3 million hours of operation.
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