Alphasat has entered the position

Europe's largest ever telecommunications satellite is ready to begin an important test before officially offering services.

Alphasat has been prepared for critical testing - (Photo: ESA)

Alphasat was launched into orbit 10 days ago on Ariane boosters, currently at the right height of its range, ie 36,000km above the equator, and most importantly, the 11m-long giant antenna developed declaration.

Engineers plan to soon test the complex communication system installed in this 6.6-ton spacecraft.

Alphasat will be in charge of telecommunications services for London-based mobile satellite service Inmarsat, with major customers such as BBC, shipping companies, oil and gas, air and military companies. the .

The BBC quoted Franco Carnevale, Vice President of Immarsat, said the new satellite would begin testing on 13, 14 or 15 August.

The satellite is a cooperative project between the BBC and the European Space Agency (ESA), dubbed the 'A380 specialist in space'.