French multi-national aircraft and rocket engine manufacturer Snecma will supply a PPS 5000 plasma thruster flight set for Airbus Defence & Space’s Eurostar E3000 EOR (Electric Orbit Raising) satellite platform, to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2016.

This new contract builds on the collaboration agreement signed by the two companies in March 2014.

Snecma vice-president Jacques Pasquier said: “Airbus Defence & Space’s re-selection of our propulsion system for its Eurostar E3000 platforms confirms the major benefits of electric propulsion for telecom satellites.

“It also reflects the rapid growth in the use of this technology by a major satellite manufacturer and a major operator.”