The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Thales Alenia Space to develop an advanced S-band onboard satellite mobile broadcast repeater and to develop and qualify its key equipment, Thales announced June 20.

The equipment’s design will be based on the mobile broadcast standard DVB-SH and compatible with hybrid satellite/terrestrial systems.

The contract was signed within the ARTES 4 program framework for the ESA-Industry partnership program for satellite telecommunication projects. Financial details were not disclosed.