EADS Astrium and Alcatel Space will jointly develop a new platform for next generation communications satellites, the companies announced June 16.

The two companies will develop the platform, dubbed Alphabus, and produce a first flight model under a contract from the European Space Agency and CNES, the French space agency. The companies plan to have the satellite ready by 2007.

EADS Astrium will be responsible for developing the electrical power system, solar arrays and chemical propulsion system, as well as assembly, integration and testing of the spacecraft. Alcatel Space will develop the mechanical and thermal subsystems, avionics and electrical propulsion system.

The Alphabus platform is designed to provide 12 to18 kilowatts of power to support up to 190 transponders. The satellite will have a launch mass between six and eight tons and is aimed at large satellite operators who will be renewing their fleets and adding new services such as digital audio and high-definition television broadcasting.