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SES, a satellite network that provides data and video connection globally to television broadcasters and internet service providers, announced today it selected SpaceX to deploy its next-generation fleet of satellites. The aerospace company had previously deployed seven SES satellites called, O3b. SpaceX secured contracts to deploy more satellites on four separate missions. – “Just like the initial seven O3b mPOWER satellites procured, these additional four satellites will be launched into space on board Falcon 9 rockets from Cape Canaveral. A total of four Falcon 9 rockets will be used to support the deployment of all O3b mPOWER satellites,” SES representatives wrote in a press release.
The Vice President of Commercial Sales at SpaceX Tom Ochinero stated:
“SES’s selection of SpaceX to support launch of the full O3b mPOWER constellation is a testament to our deep partnership built over the past decade. We look forward to working with SES to make history again through the successful deployment of this new system.”
“SES's O3b mPOWER fully-funded communications system comprises 11 high-throughput and low-latency satellites as well as an automated and intelligence-powered ground infrastructure,” SES stated. The satellites fit in groups of three atop of a Falcon 9 rocket, that is why it will require four rocket launches to deploy each satellite into Medium Earth Orbit, where they will operate. The first mission is scheduled for 2021, two missions for 2022, and the last satellites will launch until 2024.
“O3b mPOWER is the cornerstone of our multi-orbit, cloud-enabled, high-performance network that will serve our enterprise, mobility and government customers into the next decade, and we are merely a year away from its first launch,” said Steve Collar, Chief Executive Officer at SES. “We have a strong and long-standing partnership with SpaceX and we are excited to add the launches of additional O3b mPOWER satellites that will drive higher throughput, greater efficiency and substantially more bandwidth to our industry-leading network.”
The satellites are manufactured by Boeing, the company says each “will generate thousands of dynamic beams and can deliver connectivity services ranging from 50Mbps to multiple gigabits per second to telecommunications, maritime, aeronautical, and energy, as well as governments and institutions across the world.” SES also announced its first customer for the O3b mPOWER satellites is Orange and Carnival Cruises. The satellites will provide video and internet services to ships sailing in the ocean far away from terrestrial communication systems.
SES currently operates around 70 satellites; 50 of those are operating in a Geostationary orbit, beaming signals for broadband and television. The other 20 satellites operate in Medium Earth Orbit to provide low-latency internet services. The constellation provides communications services to customers operating in nearly 50 countries.
About the Author
Evelyn Arevalo
Evelyn J. Arevalo joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover news as a Space Journalist and SpaceX Starbase Texas Correspondent. Evelyn is specialized in rocketry and space exploration. The main topics she covers are SpaceX and NASA.
