SpaceX F9 : Astranis Block 2 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 29 December 2024 (05:00 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Any new news?

[gongora]

Today was a landmark day in the history of Astranis.
https://twitter.com/Astranis/status/1724941941291548962
San Francisco is currently hosting dozens of world leaders at the APEC Conference, where we had the chance to sit down with Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the President of the Philippines.

At the event, we announced together that Astranis will dramatically accelerate our partnership with Orbits Corp and bring not one, but two internet satellites to the Philippines: one on Astranis’s next launch, set for Q1 of 2024, and the second on the previously-announced launch to follow later in 2024.

The President announced that he is naming the new satellite “AGILA,” the name of the Filipino national bird, the “Great Philippine Eagle.”

[Fmedici]

At the event, we announced together that Astranis will dramatically accelerate our partnership with Orbits Corp and bring not one, but two internet satellites to the Philippines: one on Astranis’s next launch, set for Q1 of 2024, and the second on the previously-announced launch to follow later in 2024.

Does this mean that the previously announced plan to use the fourth satellite as temporary replacement of Arcturus has been scrapped and that satellite has been sold to a customer like the other three?

[gongora]

I'm not going to assume that, there are other possibilities (another customer delayed, added another sat).

[GewoonLukas_]

At the event, we announced together that Astranis will dramatically accelerate our partnership with Orbits Corp and bring not one, but two internet satellites to the Philippines: one on Astranis’s next launch, set for Q1 of 2024, and the second on the previously-announced launch to follow later in 2024.

Does this mean that the previously announced plan to use the fourth satellite as temporary replacement of Arcturus has been scrapped and that satellite has been sold to a customer like the other three?

I'm not going to assume that, there are other possibilities (another customer delayed, added another sat).

Andesat-1 is being moved to a later flight:

Delay for Peru’s first telecoms satellite creates opportunity for the Philippines
November 17, 2023

[...]

Astranis chief of staff Christian Keil said Andesat-1 is being moved from Block 2 to a later batch of satellites to better align with the telco’s business needs.

[...]

[Salo]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6926

Astranis Block 2 Mission
Launch Time
NET March, 2024

[gongora]

https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2024/02/anuvu-now-targeting-mid-2024-for-microgeo-satellite-launch/


Anuvu announces NuView-Alpha and NuView-Bravo as Anuvu Constellation prepares for launch

February 21, 2024

LOS ANGELES, February 21, 2024 - Anuvu, the leading provider of high-speed connectivity and entertainment solutions for demanding worldwide mobility markets, is today announcing the names of the first two satellites in the Anuvu Constellation, NuView-A and NuView-B.

Named to reflect Anuvu’s “new view” of the mobility connectivity market, the NuView duet is a new class of High Throughput Satellite (HTS) that will form a key element in the geostationary orbit layer of the Anuvu network.

After many years as the world’s largest lessor of geostationary satellite capacity, Anuvu is set to become a satellite operator with the launch of NuView-A and NuView-B in mid-2024, providing high-performance connectivity over North America and the Caribbean. The duet will deliver 50 gigabits per second of additional bandwidth for the company’s global mobility network.

“Our mission at Anuvu is to provide seamless connectivity solutions to our mobility clients as they navigate the transition from connectivity today to a world of multiple orbits and frequency bands with the need for rapid and flexible service delivered over both. The launch of the Anuvu Constellation ensures we will continue to expertly provide connectivity to people on the move – whether that’s on aircraft, cruise ships, commercial shipping vessels, or super yachts – through satellite capacity that is targeted and highly flexible.” says Mike Pigott, EVP Connectivity, Anuvu.

“The launch of NuView-A and NuView-B forms part of our bridge to LEO strategy, enabling flexible connectivity architectures that allow clients to pivot their business model as new technology is deployed.”

The satellites will have a mission life of eight to ten years and allow capacity and power to be moved and optimized in-orbit using state-of-the-art software defined radios and digital channelizers. The Anuvu Constellation will complement the company’s existing connectivity infrastructure and bolster a hybrid network across orbits to deliver optimized solutions to customers.

Visit anuvuconstellation.com for more information.

[gongora]

https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/1801326778667123146

Small-GEO satellite builder @Astranis: We're maintaining satellite lease prices despite industsry-wide sharp increase in insurance premiums. Four sats to launch w/ @SpaceX by September.    https://spaceintelreport.com/astranis-were-holding-the-line-on-satellite-lease-prices-despite-sharp-rise-in-insurance-rates/

[zubenelgenubi]

Given the successive LC-39A launch campaigns Starlink 10-9 => Starlink 10-6 => Crew-9 => Polaris Dawn (if there is time) => Europa Clipper:
I think this launch will be from SLC-40, assuming a launch in the third quarter + (most of?) October.

If it is further delayed into late October or later--LC-39A becomes available.

Edited

[zubenelgenubi]

I think this launch will be from SLC-40, assuming a launch in the third quarter + (most of?) October.

If it is further delayed into late October or later--LC-39A becomes available.

NextSpaceflight; updated August 19 or 20?:
Launch NET October
If the launch follows Europa Clipper, it could launch from either LC-39A or SLC-40, allowing time to convert the TEL to single stick.

[scr00chy]

NextSpaceflight; updated August 19 or 20?:
Launch NET October

That's for the Block 3 launch (which I didn't even know was confirmed as a SpaceX launch).

[zubenelgenubi]

I think this launch will be from SLC-40, assuming a launch in the third quarter + (most of?) October.

If it is further delayed into late October or later--LC-39A becomes available.

NextSpaceflight; updated August 19 or 20?:
Launch NET October

If the launch follows Europa Clipper, it could launch from either LC-39A or SLC-40, allowing time to convert the TEL to single stick.

That's for the Block 3 launch (which I didn't even know was confirmed as a SpaceX launch).

Oops!  Indeed, it's Block 3.  Thank you for catching my error.

See NextSpaceflight.
Block 2 is still NET Q3 and now would = NET September, as August is almost all planned out?

[zubenelgenubi]

Launch probably NET late October.
Cross-post:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated September 12 (after BlueBird-1 launch):

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Galileo L13 navigation satellite mission for Europe from pad 40 on September 15 around 7 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch Crew-9 to the International Space Station from pad 40 on September 24 at 2:50 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape landing zone about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40. A Falcon 9 will launch the Hera asteroid rendezvous mission for the European Space Agency from pad 40 on October 7 at 10:52 a.m. EDT. The next Falcon Heavy will launch NASA's flagship Europa Clipper spacecraft to orbit around Jupiter from pad 39A on October 10 at 12:31 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the Koreasat 6A communication satellite from pad 40 on mid October. And a Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-31 Cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on October 16 around 6 a.m. EDT.

There is no mention of Astranis Block 2.  LC-39A is not available until after it is reconfigured for single stick launch after Europa Clipper.  SLC-40 is scheduled fully until late October.  (Exception: Astranis launch somehow slots in between Crew-9 and Hera.)

Edit/add September 17:
NextSpaceflight lists launch "2024."

[zubenelgenubi]

Any new news?

[gongora]

Pacific Dataport (PDI) requests Special Temporary authority on a non-interference basis for a period of 30 days beginning November 12th to operate the Eagle Mountain earth station (callsign E202162) to support the orbit raise of Astranis’ Block 2 satellites AstranisAero East, AstranisAero West, AGILA, and UtilitySat. Block 2 is expected to launch on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 before the end of 2024.

NET November

Astranis seeks to test the Earth Station through the support of their Block 2 spacecraft orbit raise. The Block 2 spacecraft, which are AstranisAero East, AstranisAero West, AGILA, and UtilitySat are anticipated to launch aboard a dedicated SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in Q4 of 2024. Petitions for market access for AstranisAero East and AstranisAero West are pending and would then be permitted list points of communication upon grant of these petitions..2, Astranis will not provide commercial services to the United States through the AGILA or UtilitySat spacecraft,

I guess the plan changed for UtilitySat

[gongora]

Intelsat License LLC (“Intelsat”) herein requests 30 days of Special Temporary Authority (“STA”),1 commencing November 5, 2024, to use its Nuevo, California Ka-band earth station, E170039, to provide launch and early orbit phase (“LEOP”) services for Astranis Block 2, which is composed of Anuvu East (S3150), Anuvu West (S3151), AGILA, and UtilitySat.2 Astranis Block 2 is expected to launch no earlier than November 12, 2024,

[zubenelgenubi]

NextSpaceflight; updated October 31:
Launch NET December

[AndrewM]

Still tracking December.

The first MicroGEO satellite to serve the country’s far-flung areas, named by its maker, “Agila” is set to be launched this December. Once it’s off the ground, faster Internet connectivity will be enabled and made more reliable for residents and government agencies in the country.

https://tribune.net.ph/2024/11/02/agila-satellite-launch-set-in-december

[StraumliBlight]

FCC Public Notice [Nov 6]

On November 6, 2024, Intelsat License LLC ("Intelsat"), was granted a 30-day special temporary authority (STA), commencing November 7, 2024, through December 6, 2024, to operate its Ka-band earth station located in Nuevo, CA to provide launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) services for the Astranis Block 2 satellites, licensed by the United Kingdom. The Astranis Block 2 is composed of the Anuvu East (S3150), Anuvu West (S3151), AGILA, and the UtilitySat satellites. Operations will be performed at the following frequencies: 28.352 GHz, 28.355 GHz, 28.358 GHz, 28.361 GHz, 28.488 GHz, 28.494 GHz, 28.497 GHz, and 28.491 GHz (Earth-to-space) and 19.702 GHz, 19.705 GHz, 19.708 GHz, 19.711 GHz, 19.714 GHz, 19.717 GHz, and 19.723 GHz (space-to-Earth).

[zubenelgenubi]

My bold:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated November 20:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on November 21 at 10:53 a.m. - 2:53 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on November 25 at 4:32-8:32 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on November 25 at 10:31 p.m. - 2:31 a.m. EST. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the SiriusXM-9 communication satellite on December 2 around 11 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force on December. A Falcon 9 will launch the next pair of O3b mPOWER satellites for SES on mid-December. A Falcon 9 will launch the Astranis MicroGEO mission on December. A Falcon 9 will launch the Thuraya 4-NGS communication satellite for the UAE on December.

Launch likely mid or late December.