Airbus Defense and Space has signed with the European Space Agency (ESA), to continue its development of Eurostar Neo. Under phase C/D of the NEOSAT programme, the contract will lead to the development of the complete Eurostar Neo product line.

The NEOSAT programme was initiated by ESA and the French space agency CNES through the Investments for the Future Programme (PIA), and aims to support Airbus Defence and Space in providing a commercially attractive platform in the mid-range and high-end telecommunication satellite segments. The new Eurostar Neo range will comprise an entire range of major innovations.