First 4 O3b mPOWER satellites launched and next 2 satellites planned to launch in June 2023, paving the way for start of commercial service in late Q3 2023 with customers ramping onto the system through Q4 2023
The last pair of satellites SES needs to provide upgraded broadband services from medium Earth orbit (MEO) have completed tests ahead of an early June launch, SES said during financial results May 4.
Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated May 12:Quote<snip>A Falcon 9 will launch SES' mPOWER 5&6 communications satellites from pad 40 on early June TBD, in the evening EDT.
<snip>A Falcon 9 will launch SES' mPOWER 5&6 communications satellites from pad 40 on early June TBD, in the evening EDT.
If CRS-28 is on 3 June and Starlink 6-4 is on 30 May and both require droneshipsPrevious two O3b launches used droneships so presumably needed again for this launch?Does that make 6 June a bit difficult to have a droneship ready for this launch?
Quote from: crandles57 on 05/19/2023 01:38 amIf CRS-28 is on 3 June and Starlink 6-4 is on 30 May and both require droneshipsPrevious two O3b launches used droneships so presumably needed again for this launch?Does that make 6 June a bit difficult to have a droneship ready for this launch?Why don't they do RTLS on CRS missions now? Shouldn't that be possible if it's doable for crewed launches?
<snip>A Falcon 9 will launch SES' mPOWER 5&6 communications satellites from pad 40 on June 9, in the evening EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the Satria communications satellite for Indonesia from pad 40 on June 19. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.<snip>
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Cargo Dragon CRS-28 resupply mission to the ISS from pad 39A on June 3 at 12:35 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on June 4 at 5:53 a.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40. A Falcon 9 will launch the Satria communications satellite for Indonesia from pad 40 on June 19. A Falcon 9 will launch the Euclid telescope for the European Space Agency from pad 40 on early July, in the mid-day EDT. The next Falcon Heavy will launch the USSF-52 mission for the U.S. Space Force from pad 39A on July 7. The two side boosters will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.
NextSpaceflight, updated June 2:QuoteO3b mPOWER 5 & 6Launch TimeNET July, 2023
O3b mPOWER 5 & 6Launch TimeNET July, 2023
SES CEO Steve Collar announces sudden resignationJune 12, 2023[...]SES has been planning to deploy initial services this summer from its upgraded MEO network following an upcoming launch of two more O3b mPower satellites.Boeing was at one point preparing to ship the fifth and sixth of 11 O3b mPower satellites it is building for SES in May for a SpaceX launch in early June.However, Ong said the satellites are still at Boeings manufacturing facilities in El Segundo, California, so they can complete further tests before being sent to SpaceXs launchpad in Florida. SES has not provided an updated launch window for the satellites.[...]
Cross-post:Quote from: Salo on 06/02/2023 10:28 amNextSpaceflight, updated June 2:QuoteO3b mPOWER 5 & 6Launch TimeNET July 2023
NextSpaceflight, updated June 2:QuoteO3b mPOWER 5 & 6Launch TimeNET July 2023
O3b mPOWER 5 & 6Launch TimeNET July 2023
Given Florida ASDS availability for the rest of July, particularly the need for both ASDS to serve the July 24 Jupiter 3 launch, and given the NET August 3 Galaxy 37 launch that requires one ASDS, then this launch should now be NET August.
A Falcon 9 will launch the mPOWER-C mission for SES from pad 40 on August TBD, in the evening EDT.
SES: Occasional trip-off of power modules on first 4 O3b mPower satellites could delay next launchesAugust 3, 2023Satellite fleet operator SES said it said is a minor glitch in the performance of the first four O3b mPower medium-Earth-orbit broadband satellites that could delay the launch of the third and fourth pair of mPower satellites, scheduled this year with SpaceX.SES Interim Chief Executive Ruy Pinto said the issue sporadic trip-offs of some of the satellites power modules can be quickly recovered without impact on the performance of the mPower payloads.[Paywalled from here]
NextSpaceflight (Updated August 13th)Launch NET August 27th, 2023https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6943
https://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.htmlQuoteUPDATED AUGUST 13, 2023FALCON 9<snip>A Falcon 9 will launch the mPOWER-C mission for SES from pad 40 on August TBD, in the evening EDT.
UPDATED AUGUST 13, 2023FALCON 9<snip>A Falcon 9 will launch the mPOWER-C mission for SES from pad 40 on August TBD, in the evening EDT.
A Falcon 9 will launch the mPOWER-C mission for SES from pad 40 on August TBD, in the late afternoon EDT.
to permit the applicant to operate one, one-way, all-cargo charter flight, using its AN-124-100 aircraft, carrying outsized cargo on behalf of the Boeing Company (Boeing), from Los Angeles, California, to Melbourne or Titusville/Cape Canaveral, Florida, during the period August 16-31, 2023. The applicant states that the flight will carry two O3b commercial satellites in an outsized 5M satellite shipping container, plus ancillary containers, pallets, parts, and equipment.
I would guess that B1080 or b1073 will fly starlink and this would fly on the other. its also possible that this flyies on 58 but the probability is low
Q: A big source of current investment is O3b mPower. Where are you in resolving the technical glitch you recently disclosed there? A: We have been working really hard with Boeing and we have a way better understanding of this phenomena than we had two months ago. This gives us the confidence that we can provide the level of service that our customers expect, and that we expect from O3b mPower. With a mix of operational [changes and] updates to the software, we can live with this phenomenon. It doesnt impact the lifetime of those satellites as far as we know.The current plan is that we are on target to launch the next two (O3b satellites) in October. <snip>Q: What changes did you make to the two upcoming satellites?A: They are good things to do in terms of shielding and cabling. We dont expect them to be a silver bullet for the phenomena we have observed, but theyre sensible things to do.Of course, launching them gives Boeing and us time to go from: Now we understand what is happening to can I just prevent it from happening altogether on the following five satellites?Q: Are they packed up and ready for the launchpad?A: Theyre not packed up yet, but if were going to meet a launch in October were going to have to ship them by the end of September.
Werent the satellites already shipped to the cape? did they return them to the manufacturer?
Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated September 24:Quote[Last listed launch]A Falcon 9 will launch the O3b mPOWER-5&6 satellites for SES from pad 40 on October.
[Last listed launch]A Falcon 9 will launch the O3b mPOWER-5&6 satellites for SES from pad 40 on October.
Quote from: gongora on 10/05/2023 03:15 am2033-EX-ST-2023 Mission 1823 from LC-40 at CCAFS or LC-39A at KSCNET late November [NET Nov 25]ASDS North 28 16 11 West 73 35 6QuoteThis application extends information from grant 0932-EX-ST-2023.Quote from: Josh_from_Canada on 08/19/2023 09:41 pmNon Starlink missions with FCC applicationsCape:0932-EX-ST-2023 Mission 1823, OSD: May 25th, ASDS recovery (O3b mPOWER-c)This is an extension to the 3rd O3b mPOWER mission FCC grant (assignment is not confirmed but very likely as speculated by others). Seems SpaceX thinks this may not launch until December.
2033-EX-ST-2023 Mission 1823 from LC-40 at CCAFS or LC-39A at KSCNET late November [NET Nov 25]ASDS North 28 16 11 West 73 35 6
This application extends information from grant 0932-EX-ST-2023.
Non Starlink missions with FCC applicationsCape:0932-EX-ST-2023 Mission 1823, OSD: May 25th, ASDS recovery (O3b mPOWER-c)
0932-EX-ST-2023 Mission 1823NET late May [NET May 25], launching east from FloridaASDS North 28 16 11 West 73 35 6
Delayed again...NextSpaceflight (Updated October 9th)Launch NET December 2023https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6943
A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October 25. A Falcon 9 will launch the mPOWER-C internet satellites for SES from pad 40 on late October TBD, in the evening EDT.
NextSpaceflight (Updated August 13th)Launch NET August 27th, 2023NextSpaceflight (Updated August 17th)Launch NET 27 August 2023, 21:04 UTCNextSpaceflight (Updated August 21/22)Launch NET October / Q4 2023NextSpaceflight (Updated September 24th)Launch NET October 22nd, 2023NextSpaceflight (Updated October 9th)Launch NET December 2023SFN Launch Schedule, updated October 9:Launch November 2023NextSpaceflight (Updated October 17th)Launch NET October 28th, 2023, at 21:07 UTC
NextSpaceflight (Updated October 17th)Launch NET October 28th, 2023, at 21:07 UTChttps://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6943
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October 21 at 10:23 p.m. EDT or later. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on late October. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-29 resupply mission to the ISS from pad 39A on November 5 at 10:01 p.m. EST. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40. A Falcon 9 will launch the mPOWER-C internet satellites for SES from pad 40 on November, in the late afternoon EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the NOVA-C commercial lunar lander for Intuitive Machines & NASA from pad 39A on mid-November.
O3b mPOWER 5 & 6Launch TimeNET November, 2023
NextSpaceflight, updated October 28:QuoteO3b mPOWER 5 & 6Launch TimeSat Nov 11, 2023 22:08 GMT
O3b mPOWER 5 & 6Launch TimeSat Nov 11, 2023 22:08 GMT
YTD 2023 RESULT31 October 2023Update on O3b mPOWERSES confirms the planned launch of O3b mPOWER satellites 5 and 6 in early November 2023, from which commercial services are expected to begin from early Q2 2024. Over the past few months, an increased number of sporadic power module switch offs have been observed during O3b mPOWER operations in space, including a few non-recoverable events. After a comprehensive investigation where the causes were identified by Boeing and SES, mitigations for these events will be put in place for the initial satellites that include updated operational procedures and leveraging elements of the constellation in a resilient configuration, which will enable the expected high-performance services to customers.With the operations of this initial O3b mPOWER constellation, in combination with the existing O3b MEO constellation, SES expects it can support its currently signed O3b mPOWER customers, as well as future customers and market growth. It has been determined that the anticipated operational life and available capacity of the initial O3b mPOWER satellites will be significantly lower than previously expected. SES has secured firm commitments from Boeing and both companies are closely collaborating to deliver the full lifecycle capabilities of the constellation. SES and Boeing plan to upgrade 5 of the remaining satellites (7-11) already under manufacture and add 2 additional satellites into the constellation. The additional investment associated with this plan is expected to be fully covered within SESs existing committed CapEx envelope, including supplier concessions[...]
Updated launch schedule for remaining O3b mPOWER satellites:O3b mPOWER 5 & 6: Early-NovemberO3b mPOWER 7 & 8: H2 2024O3b mPOWER 9, 10 & 11: 2025O3b mPOWER 12 & 13: 2026
TLDR:Operational life and capacity from O3b mPOWER 1 through 4 will be significantly lower than expected due to the power-module issue
Quote from: GewoonLukas_ on 10/31/2023 07:43 amTLDR:Operational life and capacity from O3b mPOWER 1 through 4 will be significantly lower than expected due to the power-module issue1-4 or 1-6?
.@SES_Satellites: We 'reshaped' 11-satellite O3b mPower contract w/ @BoeingSpace following degraded performance/life span of 1st 6 mPower sats. Boeing will take part in financing rework of sats 7-11, and production of 2 additional sats. Insurance claim TBD.https://bit.ly/3Qii07R
Boeing recently disclosed $315 million of losses on a satellite contract to meet life cycle commitments for an undisclosed customer. A source close to Boeing confirmed SES is this customer.
I don't think 5-6 actually have many fixes. Still need to listen to the earnings call later.
I think they said NET Nov. 12 for the launch (earnings call audio has a bit of an echo and the speakers have a bit of an accent)
Is it 22:08 UTC or 21:08 UTC?I am seeing 21:08 GMT at nextspaceflightCooper says "November 12 at 4:08 p.m. EST"GMT=UTC and EST is GMT-5 I think.Thise seem to agree on 21:08 UTC but this thread says 22:08
A Falcon 9 will launch the mPOWER-C internet satellites for SES from pad 40 on November 12 at 4:08 p.m. EST. The launch window stretches 89 minutes.
071306Z NOV 23NAVAREA IV 1295/23(11,26).WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.FLORIDA.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 122108Z TO 122308Z NOV, ALTERNATE 2108Z TO 2308Z DAILY 13 THRU 18 NOV IN AREAS BOUND BY: A. 28-38.55N 080-37.36W, 28-40.00N 080-33.00W, 28-39.00N 080-21.00W, 28-38.00N 080-13.00W, 28-32.00N 080-09.00W, 28-31.00N 080-18.00W, 28-31.00N 080-27.00W, 28-31.60N 080-33.57W. B. 28-32.00N 074-52.00W, 28-33.00N 072-24.00W, 28-25.00N 071-37.00W, 28-01.00N 071-36.00W, 27-51.00N 072-18.00W, 28-13.00N 074-52.00W.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 190008Z NOV 23.
NGA Rocket Launching notice.
1076.9 and 1073.11 may undergo modifications to become Falcon Heavy side boosters for a future launch, but both are available for "single-stick" launches currently.
Departure! ASOG droneship is underway from Port Canaveral to support the mPOWER 5 & 6 mission! Tug Crosby Skipper towing.Not a Starlink!!!!
3️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ The countdown to launch our next pair of #O3bmPOWER satellites is on! We're gearing up to watch the fifth and sixth second-gen satellites take flight this Sunday, 12 November.Get ready for extraordinary satellite-enabled experiences everywhere. Stay tuned for more details. 🚀🛰️ #ShareAnywhere@SpaceX @BoeingSpace
SpaceX is targeting Sunday, November 12 for a Falcon 9 launch of the SES O3b mPOWER mission to medium-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 89-minute launch window opens at 4:08 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available Monday, November 13 with the same window.A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.This is the ninth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, and five Starlink missions. (=B1076.9) Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Targeting Sunday, November 12 for a Falcon 9 launch of SpaceXs third @SES_Satellites O3b mPOWER mission from Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida → http://spacex.com/launches
SPACE-X mPOWER-C, CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FLPRIMARY: 11/12/23 2108Z-2308ZBACKUPS: 11/13-17/23 2108Z-2308Z
Take a #BTS peek at the preparations as were getting ready to launch our third pair of #O3bmPOWER satellites! 🚀🛰️🛰️ @spacex livestream details below 👇 #ShareAnywhere @BoeingSpace🗓️ Sunday, 12 November🕟 4:08pm EST | 10:08pm CET▶️ ow.ly/RiFW50Q6vOE
Falcon 9 vertical on pad 40 ahead of O3b mPOWER-5&6 launch today
Falcon 9 is poised to launch the third O3b mPOWER mission for SES in about an hour. The recently-built crew tower and access arm at SLC-40 is the newest addition to the ever-changing Cape Canaveral skyline.
Less than one hour until Falcon 9s launch of the @SES_Satellites O3b mPOWER mission from Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida. The 89-minute window opens at 4:08 p.m. ET → spacex.com/launches
F9/O3b mPOWER: This will be the 83rd Falcon-family launch this year and the 286th overall; booster B1076 is making its 9th flight; a successful drone ship recovery would be SpaceX's 193rd and its 245th overall
Live from SLC-40 sporting its new Crew Access Arm, SpaceX's Falcon 9 is in action again, with the O3b mPOWER 5 & 6 launch.NSF Livestream:youtube.com/watch?v=AWjAI-
T-20 minute vent.
Watch Falcon 9 launch the @SES_Satellites O3b mPOWER mission to orbit
QuoteWatch Falcon 9 launch the @SES_Satellites O3b mPOWER mission to orbit
Coverage ending after LEO orbit insertion.
LAUNCH! SpaceX Falcon 9 B1076-9 launches through clouds with O3b mPOWER 5 & 6 from SLC-40.Livestream:youtube.com/watch?v=AWjAI-
Staging 1-2.
Touchdown for SpaceX's Falcon 9 B1076, completing its ninth mission.And that's 171 successive landings in a row for this orbital-class rocket.
Falcon 9 heads uphill today with two more SES O3b mPOWER satellites headed to medium-Earth orbit.
Falcon 9 launches the third O3b mPOWER mission for SES this afternoon. Rare daytime launch from the Cape these days and my 249th photographed overall with an exciting launch on the horizon for #250.
SpaceX Falcon 9 03b mPOWER 5 & 6 launch from SLC-40 at Canaveral Space Force Station. Launch time was 4:08pm EDT. #space #SpaceX #mpower #florida #satellite #Elonmusk @SpaceX @SpaceForceDoD
Launch of O3b mPOWER 5 & 6!📷: Me for @SuperclusterHQ
Falcon 9 breaks through the clouds on its way to deliver a batch of broadband satellites for SES.📷: Me for @SuperclusterHQ
For some reason, my calculator gives a negative apogee for the insertion orbit! The SpX 29 mission had an insertion speed of 27012 km/h so the low 26669 km/h value given for this flight must be in error.Enter initial perigee height (km): 164Enter SpaceX speed (km/h): 26669Enter initial orbit inclination (deg): 50Estimated inertial speed = 7714.7 m/sEstimated apogee height = -132.2 km
Just another day fighting Earths gravity, ya feel?Falcon 9 and two SES O3b mPower satellites taking flight from SLC-40 - launch occurred at 4:08pm local time. Destination: MEO 📸 - @NASASpaceflight 📺 - youtube.com/live/AWjAI-ga2
The O3b satellites are going to 0 deg. equatorial orbit, not 50 deg., so use standard GTO parking orbit instead (i ~ 28 deg.).Anyway on first 2 launches the values were 26672 & 26674 km/h @ 164 km.
The second stage burn ending before 1st landing seem unusual to me, or am I wrong as usual?
Did anyone see SpaceX mission patch?
Deployment of both O3b mPOWER satellites confirmed
Like a laser from above, the power of 9 Merlin engines cuts a streak from the ground to the sky. 📸: @WeAreSpaceScout
Either they jumped the gun, the timeline was wrong, or something else. I guess we'll be watching for the TLE's in case anything is off nominal
Success! 🚀 Were thrilled to announce that our fifth and sixth #O3bmPOWER satellites have successfully launched into space!This marks an incredible milestone for our second-generation medium earth orbit system, as this duo completes the six #MEO satellites required to offer high-performance network services delivering high throughput, predictable low latency, unique flexibility and service availability.Congratulations to our team and partners for this remarkable achievement! 🙌Read the #SESNews: ow.ly/6Kpy50Q6MHL #ShareAnywhere@BoeingSpace @Spacex📷Official launch photo credit: SpaceX
Falcon 9 launches the @SES_Satellites O3b mPOWER mission to orbit from Florida
Falcon 9 sending a third set of O3b mPOWER Internet Satellites to space for @SES_Satellites this afternoon from @SLDelta45. O3b sats are placed in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and deliver higher bandwidth internet access compared to legacy Geostationary solutions. #O3bmPOWER -@NSS
🛰️ We have contact! The fifth and sixth #O3bmPOWER satellites are sending and receiving signals after a successful Sunday launch. Congrats to our partners at @SES_Satellites who will soon be providing high-performance connectivity to customers around the world.
CelesTrak has GP data for 3 objects from the launch (2023-175) of O3b mPOWER 5 & 6 atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on Nov 12 at 2108 UTC: spaceflightnow.com/2023/11/12/liv . Data for the launch can be found at: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2023-175
Emerging from rough seas off the coast of Florida... it's ASOG droneship with SpaceX's Falcon 9 B1076!nsf.live/spacecoast
A Shortfall of Gravitas and her crew have found safe harbor in Port Canaveral following the recovery of B1076, closing out the O3b mPower 5&6 mission.@NASASpaceflight live views of processing: nsf.live/spacecoast
The soot and the moody late season tropical weather suit eachother well. Bonus views of B1076 after nine flights.📷 Me for @NASASpaceflight
SpaceX support ship Bob returned to Port Canaveral overnight with four Falcon 9 fairing halves - from mPower 5&6 and Starlink 6-28.nsf.live/spacecoast
