Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Galaxy 37/Horizons 4 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 3 August 2023 (05:00 UTC) (Read 28869 times)

gongora · « **on:** 02/20/2022 06:54 pm »

Discussion Thread for launch of Galaxy 37 (aka 13R) / Horizons 4

NSF Threads for Intelsat Galaxy 37 : Discussion

Launched on August 3, 2023 at 05:00 UTC (1:00 am EDT) on Falcon 9 to GTO, from CCSFS SLC-40. First stage 1077-6 successfully landed aboard Just Read the Instructions.

C-band satellite built by Maxar using the 1300-bus.
https://www.maxar.com/press-releases/maxar-awarded-contract-to-build-sixth-geostationary-communications-satellite-for-intelsat-in-2020

Originally contracted to fly on Ariane 6:
https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/intelsat-entrusts-arianespace-for-the-launch-of-three-c-band-satellites-on-ariane-5-and-ariane-6/

Quote from: GWR64 on 02/20/2022 08:19 am

Already discussed in the Ariane 6 thread, Galaxy 37 aka Galaxy 13R. SpaceX has the launch order for this satellite.
I don't know when the switch from Ariane 6 to Falcon 9 took place.

https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1229094530086/December%202021%20Quarterly%20Report%20-%20Intelsat%2012-29-2021.pdf

postscript: Intelsat’s updated Transition Plan (Filed September 30, 2021)
https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10930299220263/Updated%20Transition%20Plan%20-%20Intelsat%209-30-2021.pdf
There is already launch provider 1 (SpaceX) for the Galaxy 13R planned.

GWR64 · « **Reply #1 on:** 02/20/2022 07:41 pm »

What I have read out. Galaxy 37 also has a Ku-band payload.
It should possibly be marketed as Horizons 4. Similar to Horizons 1.
However, I do not know whether Intelsat already agrees with SKY Perfect JSAT on this.
C-band is divided into 2 footprints. The upper 200 Mhz are intended for CONUS.
The lower 300 Mhz e.g. for Alaska and other zones not affected by the C-band clearing.
Launch mass guess, maybe similar to JCSAT-14.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #2 on:** 05/17/2022 09:09 pm »

Cross-post; in-service Q2 or Q3 2023:

Quote from: GWR64 on 05/17/2022 05:10 pm

[Intelsat] quarterly report from March 31st.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #3 on:** 07/03/2022 05:03 am »

Cross-post; slight firming-up of in service date (Q2 2023 vs Q2/3 2023) > same for launch date?

Quote from: GWR64 on 07/02/2022 09:45 am

Q2 status report [June 30]

gongora · « **Reply #4 on:** 10/10/2022 06:22 pm »

https://spacenews.com/spacex-deploys-two-of-six-c-band-satellites-intelsat-is-launching-this-year/

Quote

Intelsat said SpaceX will launch its final C-band replacement spacecraft in the second quarter of 2023.

spacenuance · « **Reply #5 on:** 03/18/2023 12:46 am »

I assume Intelsat 37 is Galaxy 37

https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-final-two-satellites-in-ses-c-band-clearing-plan/ [Mar 17]

Quote

SpaceX is slated to launch Intelsat-37, the final satellite left to launch in this spectrum-clearing strategy, on a dedicated Falcon 9 in June.

gongora · « **Reply #6 on:** 03/28/2023 11:35 pm »

SAT-RPL-20230328-00066

Quote

Intelsat License LLC (“Intelsat”), pursuant to Section 25.114 of the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC” or “Commission”) rules,1 hereby applies to launch and operate a C-band replacement satellite,2 to be known as Galaxy 37, at the 127.0° W.L. orbital location. The spacecraft also contains a Ku-band payload to be known as Horizons-4, which will be Japan-licensed (collectively, the “Galaxy 37 / Horizons-4” spacecraft).3 Galaxy 37 is scheduled for launch in July 2023...

3 Horizons-4 Satellite LLC, which will be a 50/50 joint venture between Intelsat US LLC and JSAT International Inc., will separately seek U.S. market access for Horizons-4. Horizons-4 will replace Horizons-1 (S2475), a Japan licensed Ku-band payload on the Galaxy 13 / Horizons-1 spacecraft, at 127.0° W.L

gongora · « **Reply #7 on:** 03/31/2023 04:30 pm »

Quote

Galaxy 37 is expected to launch on July 15, 2023

GewoonLukas_ · « **Reply #8 on:** 05/19/2023 12:01 pm »

Galaxy 37 has arrived at the spacecoast? The plane arrived in the week of May 6th.

Quote

Antonov Airline safely transported Maxar-built satellite to be launched by SpaceX.

https://twitter.com/AirlinesAntonov/status/1659249565797580815

GWR64 · « **Reply #9 on:** 05/19/2023 06:52 pm »

Quote from: GewoonLukas_ on 05/19/2023 12:01 pm

Galaxy 37 has arrived at the spacecoast? The plane arrived in the week of May 6th.

Quote
Antonov Airline safely transported Maxar-built satellite to be launched by SpaceX.

https://twitter.com/AirlinesAntonov/status/1659249565797580815

Other media write that it is about Intelsat-40e. I don't know why these reports are only now being published.

https://www.projectcargojournal.com/airfreight/2023/05/18/commercial-satellite-flown-to-nasa-facility-in-florida/

Intelsat 40e delivery: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48630.msg2468310#msg2468310
The picture is not the same, but compare the guy on the rope with the backpack, with picture 4 from the Antonov tweet.

GewoonLukas_ · « **Reply #10 on:** 05/19/2023 08:31 pm »

Quote from: GWR64 on 05/19/2023 06:52 pm

Quote from: GewoonLukas_ on 05/19/2023 12:01 pm
Galaxy 37 has arrived at the spacecoast? The plane arrived in the week of May 6th.

Quote
Antonov Airline safely transported Maxar-built satellite to be launched by SpaceX.

Other media write that it is about Intelsat-40e. I don't know why these reports are only now being published.

https://www.projectcargojournal.com/airfreight/2023/05/18/commercial-satellite-flown-to-nasa-facility-in-florida/

Intelsat 40e delivery: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48630.msg2468310#msg2468310
The picture is not the same, but compare the guy on the rope with the backpack, with picture 4 from the Antonov tweet.

Yeah I think you're right. Although the same Antonov plane did visit the space center in the week of May 6th, but turns out that was for Arabsat 7B / BADR-8.

Quote

Nothing put a smile on my face like seeing a massive cargo plane. Antonov AN124 tail# UR82072 arriving at @MCO after a cargo delivery to the Space Center this week.

https://twitter.com/usacomp2k3/status/1654935172813389832

gongora · « **Reply #11 on:** 05/19/2023 09:15 pm »

Antonov hasn't had paperwork filed for any satellite transports within the US (from US manufacturer to US launch site) since Intelsat 40e

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #12 on:** 06/20/2023 05:03 pm »

If Galaxy 37 is still launching in mid-July, then delivery from Maxar to the Cape should be any day now.

spacenuance · « **Reply #13 on:** 06/26/2023 11:35 pm »

Now NET Early August

Quote

Intelsat has one more to go, the Galaxy 37 satellite SpaceX is slated to launch in early August, after deploying six C-band replacements under its strategy.

https://spacenews.com/ses-bid-for-equal-split-of-c-band-proceeds-back-in-play/
[Jun 26]

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #14 on:** 07/03/2023 08:12 pm »

SFN Launch Schedule, updated July 2:
Launch from SLC-40 (re?)-confirmed.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #15 on:** 07/10/2023 04:44 am »

Cross-post:

Quote from: Salo on 07/09/2023 10:18 pm

NextSpaceflight, updated July 9:
Quote
Galaxy 37
Launch Time
NET Aug 03, 2023

Edit/add:

Quote from: Salo on 07/10/2023 12:29 pm

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated July 10:
Quote
<snip>
A Falcon 9 will launch the Galaxy 37 communications satellite for Intelsat on early August TBD.

GewoonLukas_ · « **Reply #16 on:** 07/17/2023 08:47 pm »

Quote

Maxar-Built Galaxy 37/Horizons-4 Satellite Arrives at Launch Base

07.17.2023

Maxar delivered the Galaxy 37/Horizons-4 satellite to SpaceX’s launch base in Florida for its customer, Intelsat. The geostationary communications satellite will launch in August on a Falcon 9 rocket.

Galaxy 37/Horizons-4 will deliver two kinds of capability. It incorporates Ku-band beams on a payload jointly owned by Intelsat and JSAT International. Its C-band payload joins FOUR PREVIOUSLY ORDERED SATELLITES FROM MAXAR that transition Intelsat’s broadband coverage to free up spectrum for 5G terrestrial wireless services.

[...]

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #17 on:** 07/19/2023 03:46 pm »

Higher res photo from Intelsat

GewoonLukas_ · « **Reply #18 on:** 07/25/2023 02:01 pm »

NextSpaceflight (Updated July 25th)
Launch NET August 2023 (No longer lists August 3rd)
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6899

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #19 on:** 07/26/2023 12:24 am »

Quote from: GewoonLukas_ on 07/25/2023 02:01 pm

NextSpaceflight (Updated July 25th)
Launch NET August 2023 (No longer lists August 3rd)
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6899

Not a surprise, given the satellite was delivered circa July 17. It likely requires around 3 weeks for launch processing? Launch circa August 10 (unless another payload takes priority at SLC-40)?

Edit: Only needs ~2 weeks for launch processing? Impressive.