As Europe initiates services through the Galileo system that will provide the world's most accurate satellite navigation services, it’s also marking 40 years since it set out on the bold venture to build a globally competitive satellite communications industry.

Eutelsat’s creation in 1977 as a small, interim organisation initially backed by telcos and the European Space Agency was the outcome of a Europe-wide evaluation of the market and business model for communications satellites built, launched and operated by European know-how.

On one side, the European Space Agency was driving three programmes that would be key pillars of a new ecosystem: a launcher that saw the birth of the Ariane programme, a manufacturing capability that gave rise to companies we know today as Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, and operators that notably led to the creation of Eutelsat.

On the other side, European telcos saw the value of satellites to interconnect telephony networks and the EBU saw a way to complement terrestrial delivery of its Eurovision network. It rapidly became clear that Eutelsat’s satellites were also the perfect platform for broadcasting TV channels to cable headends and Direct-to-Homes antennas.

That was just the beginning. Since then, Eutelsat has grown into one of the world’s leading satellite operators, providing video, data, broadband and government services through a fleet of high-performance satellites delivering global coverage, and stimulating a varied and vibrant ecosystem of high-tech companies.

And always looking ahead, the 1,000 men and women working at Eutelsat from offices and teleports in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas are leveraging the most innovative technologies for the next generation of video and connectivity services that will benefit users worldwide.