[1] Electra encompasses both a coordinated effort to develop a European full electric propulsion small geostationary satellite, and the implementation of a mission by SES providing flight heritage and in-orbit demonstration of the platform to gain market acceptance for the product.
Artemis proved that electric thrusters are capable of performing the same task as conventional chemical propulsion but with up to 90% savings in fuel consumption.
The Electra satellite will offer power consumption and communication capabilities equal to those offered by larger mid-size satellites while keeping the launch mass low enough for small launcher vehicles, or be used with a larger payload for the same launch mass, in both cases producing significant economic benefits.
[5] In October 2013, ESA, SES and OHB signed a first private public partnership agreement for an initial one-year contract to define and develop the Electra platform.
Magali Vaissiere, ESA's Director of Telecommunication and Integrated Applications said of the agreement, "“Electra is the first example of our Partner programme, where we are consolidating the model of partnerships with the private sector to help the introduction and adoption of innovative efficient solutions proposed by our industry".