Here's the press release:QuoteSES selects Arianespace for launch of SES-17, September 12, 2017The Luxembourg-based operator’s telecommunications satellite will be one of the largest ever launched by Arianespace.SES has selected Arianespace to launch its high-power, high-throughput satellite SES-17 on an Ariane 5 in 2021 from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. This was announced by SES and Arianespace in Paris today.SES-17 is a powerful satellite delivering high-speed inflight connectivity and high-powered data services over the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean. SES-17 is the 53rd satellite entrusted to Arianespace for launch by SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG).Weighing more than six metric tons at launch, SES-17 will be among the ten largest telecom satellites launched by Arianespace since the company’s founding.SES-17 is the third all-electric satellite for which SES has chosen an Arianespace launch.The satellite built by Thales Alenia Space is fitted with an electric propulsion system for orbital positioning and station-keeping; its payload comprises 200 Ka-band spotbeams; the orbital position of the spacecraft has not yet been disclosed.“SES and Arianespace have developed an exceptional partnership over the past 30 years”, said Martin Halliwell, Chief Technology Officer of SES. “With this launch, we build on that relationship and underline our commitment to the European space industry. Together with today’s agreement with Arianespace to launch the next four spacecraft of our O3b constellation on Soyuz in 2019, we are satisfied to conclude two important contracts with Arianespace giving us the necessary and reliable access to space that we need to further develop and drive our business.”Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace, noted: “This latest contract reflects the excellent relations built between Arianespace and SES over the past three decades. Our order book speaks for itself, with now 10 satellites to be launched for SES by 2021.“We are honored to have been selected by SES for the launch of the new-generation SES-17 – an impressively sized, all-electric satellite – which shows Arianespace’s ability to adapt to customers’ evolving requirements. SES’ continued trust in Arianespace is a clear demonstration that our Ariane 5 heavy-lift launcher is keeping pace with these changing technologies, prior to the advent of our new-generation Ariane 6 launch vehicle – for which discussions are underway to serve future SES missions.”
SES selects Arianespace for launch of SES-17, September 12, 2017The Luxembourg-based operator’s telecommunications satellite will be one of the largest ever launched by Arianespace.SES has selected Arianespace to launch its high-power, high-throughput satellite SES-17 on an Ariane 5 in 2021 from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. This was announced by SES and Arianespace in Paris today.SES-17 is a powerful satellite delivering high-speed inflight connectivity and high-powered data services over the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean. SES-17 is the 53rd satellite entrusted to Arianespace for launch by SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG).Weighing more than six metric tons at launch, SES-17 will be among the ten largest telecom satellites launched by Arianespace since the company’s founding.SES-17 is the third all-electric satellite for which SES has chosen an Arianespace launch.The satellite built by Thales Alenia Space is fitted with an electric propulsion system for orbital positioning and station-keeping; its payload comprises 200 Ka-band spotbeams; the orbital position of the spacecraft has not yet been disclosed.“SES and Arianespace have developed an exceptional partnership over the past 30 years”, said Martin Halliwell, Chief Technology Officer of SES. “With this launch, we build on that relationship and underline our commitment to the European space industry. Together with today’s agreement with Arianespace to launch the next four spacecraft of our O3b constellation on Soyuz in 2019, we are satisfied to conclude two important contracts with Arianespace giving us the necessary and reliable access to space that we need to further develop and drive our business.”Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace, noted: “This latest contract reflects the excellent relations built between Arianespace and SES over the past three decades. Our order book speaks for itself, with now 10 satellites to be launched for SES by 2021.“We are honored to have been selected by SES for the launch of the new-generation SES-17 – an impressively sized, all-electric satellite – which shows Arianespace’s ability to adapt to customers’ evolving requirements. SES’ continued trust in Arianespace is a clear demonstration that our Ariane 5 heavy-lift launcher is keeping pace with these changing technologies, prior to the advent of our new-generation Ariane 6 launch vehicle – for which discussions are underway to serve future SES missions.”
Cross-posts:Quote from: Salo on 01/10/2021 11:42 amPlanned launches:Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)2021March 4 - Star One D2, Eutelsat Quantum - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA254) - Kourou ELA-3Q3 - SES-17, Ovzon-3 - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA255) - Kourou ELA-3Q4 - Ovzon-3 - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3October 31 - JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA256) - Kourou ELA-3December - MEASAT-3d, Syracuse 4A (Comsat-NG 1) - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA257) - Kourou ELA-3 (or January 2022)Late - Syracuse 4A (Comsat-NG 1) - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3Changes on January 10thQuote from: Closer to Space on 01/18/2021 06:19 pmI got some information about the flights for this year:<snips>VA254 - Officially March 4th (most likely late May or June, due to delays related to new modifications to the launcher fairing)VA255 - Mid-August, IF the VA254 campaign is not delayed any furtherVA256 - Officially October 31st, with JWSTThere may be another Ariane 5 flight this year, but it's unlikely.
Planned launches:Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)2021March 4 - Star One D2, Eutelsat Quantum - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA254) - Kourou ELA-3Q3 - SES-17, Ovzon-3 - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA255) - Kourou ELA-3Q4 - Ovzon-3 - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3October 31 - JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA256) - Kourou ELA-3December - MEASAT-3d, Syracuse 4A (Comsat-NG 1) - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA257) - Kourou ELA-3 (or January 2022)Late - Syracuse 4A (Comsat-NG 1) - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3Changes on January 10th
I got some information about the flights for this year:<snips>VA254 - Officially March 4th (most likely late May or June, due to delays related to new modifications to the launcher fairing)VA255 - Mid-August, IF the VA254 campaign is not delayed any furtherVA256 - Officially October 31st, with JWSTThere may be another Ariane 5 flight this year, but it's unlikely.
Ovzon 3 on scheduleOvzon 3, which is now under production at our partner Maxar in the US, is planned to be launched during the fourth quarter of 2021. ...
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ [March 31 update]QuoteAugust • Ariane 5 • SES 17 & Ovzon 3Launch window: TBDLaunch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
August • Ariane 5 • SES 17 & Ovzon 3Launch window: TBDLaunch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
SES-17 and O3b mPOWER secured $180 million worth of backlog in 2021, according to SES, increasing their gross backlog to $740 million.The company said these satellite launches had been pushed from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of this year, adding that it does not expect a significant change in operational service date as a result.
SFN Launch Schedule, updated June 18SES 17 and Syracuse 4A = VA255Launch in late September 2021
QuoteBy this application, SSC Space US, Inc. dba Universal Space Network (collectively, "USN"),1 a Delaware Corporation, seeks FCC approval to support the Launch and Early Orbit (LEOP) support of the Syracuse4A spacecraft on it’s way to geosynchronous parking position at 46 degrees east. The spacecraft will be launched from French Guiana on an Ariane vehicle no earlier than October 15th, 2021 at 00:15:00 UTC. USN has been contracted to support the Syracuse4A spacecraft LEOP for a period of up to 30 days. The spacecraft will be injected into a highly elliptical orbit at inclination of about 6 degrees. The spacecraft will begin electrical propulsion after initial orbit checkout to raise the orbit. Additional authorization may be requested to support electrical propulsion beyond 30 days. Each spacecraft contact can range from a few minutes at perigee to as much as 9 hours at apogee.
By this application, SSC Space US, Inc. dba Universal Space Network (collectively, "USN"),1 a Delaware Corporation, seeks FCC approval to support the Launch and Early Orbit (LEOP) support of the Syracuse4A spacecraft on it’s way to geosynchronous parking position at 46 degrees east. The spacecraft will be launched from French Guiana on an Ariane vehicle no earlier than October 15th, 2021 at 00:15:00 UTC. USN has been contracted to support the Syracuse4A spacecraft LEOP for a period of up to 30 days. The spacecraft will be injected into a highly elliptical orbit at inclination of about 6 degrees. The spacecraft will begin electrical propulsion after initial orbit checkout to raise the orbit. Additional authorization may be requested to support electrical propulsion beyond 30 days. Each spacecraft contact can range from a few minutes at perigee to as much as 9 hours at apogee.
Launched:Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)2021October 24 Q3 mid-August August Q4 late September October 15 22 23 TBD - SES-17, Syracuse-4A Ovzon-3 or Syracuse-4A - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA255 TBD VA255 VA257?) - Kourou ELA-3 - 02:10 00:15 TBD 01:01to 03:30(approximately 2 weeks minimum between CSG launches; GTO orbit: approximately 4-6 minutes later/day)Planned launches:Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)2021Early? November October/Q4 mid Oct NET late Oct/NLT early Nov early Oct? Oct/Q4 - CERES 1, CERES 2, CERES 3 - Vega (VV20 VV21?) - Kourou ZLV(approximately 2 weeks minimum between CSG launches; approximately 6 weeks minimum between Vega launches)December 1 Midyear September NET late November end of Nov or beginning of Dec /NET Nov 22 23 - Galileo-FOC FM23 (Patrick), Galileo-FOC FM24 (Shriya) - Soyuz ST-B/Fregat-MT (VS26 TBD VS26 TBD VS27) - Kourou ELS - 00:35 01:07:49 TBD(approximately 2 weeks minimum between CSG launches)December 18 October 31 NET November NET mid-November late November NET early December - JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA256 TBD VA256 VA256?) - Kourou ELA-3 - 12:10-15:10? 12:20-15:20(approximately 2 weeks minimum between CSG launches)2022January 6 TBD 2021? TBD 2022 November October November/early November December 29 - OneWeb (x34) Flight 13 13 TBD - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-MT (VS27 TBD VS27 TBD VS26) - Kourou ELS(approximately 2 weeks minimum between CSG launches; approximately 3 weeks minimum between Soyuz-ST launches)Changes on January 10thChanges on January 11thChanges on January 18thChanges on January 30thChanges on March 19thChanges on March 21stChanges on March 31stChanges on April 6thChanges on May 6thChanges on May 12thChanges on May 13thChanges on May 26thChanges on June 16thChanges on June 18thChanges on June 22ndChanges on July 18thChanges on July 27thChanges on August 5thChanges on August 6thChanges on August 7thChanges on August 9thChanges on August 17thChanges on September 8thChanges on September 10thChanges on September 30thChanges on October 5thChanges on October 11thChanges on October 13thChanges on October 14thChanges on October 19thChanges on October 22ndChanges on October 23rdChanges on October 24thzubenelgenubi
https://www.defense.gouv.fr/content/download/561994/9709831/S%20-%20Fiche%20LPM%20-%20Syracuse%20IV.pdftranslated:QuoteBy 2022: launch of the SYRACUSE 4A and 4B satellites
By 2022: launch of the SYRACUSE 4A and 4B satellites
I believe TAS only has this one container for Spacebus NEO.Antonov UR-82007 will likely wait for the Syracuse 4A to unload.Then fly back to Nice with the empty container and pick up the SES-17 satellite.Difficult logistics.
Quote from: GWR64 on 09/04/2021 08:53 amI believe TAS only has this one container for Spacebus NEO.Antonov UR-82007 will likely wait for the Syracuse 4A to unload.Then fly back to Nice with the empty container and pick up the SES-17 satellite.Difficult logistics.UR-82007 flew from Cayenne to Lajes in the Azores before making another stop in Nice followed by flying to Toulouse. It's now flying back Cayenne likely with SES-17.
SES-17 to launch on 22 October14 Sep 2021 Built by Thales Alenia Space, the SES satellite will deliver high-speed connectivity services to mobility, enterprise and government segments across the AmericasCannes, France/ Luxembourg, 14 September 2021 – SES-17 has completed its performance tests at the Thales Alenia Space facility in Cannes, France and is being prepared for shipment to Arianespace’s Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana on 22 September 2021. The spacecraft is scheduled to be launched by Arianespace, using an Ariane 5 vehicle on 22 October 2021, SES announced today.SES-17 is a very high-throughput satellite in geosynchronous orbit, built to serve North America, South America, the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean with Ka-band coverage. It will address demands for high-speed and flexible data connectivity across aviation, maritime, enterprise and government segments, advancing the region’s digitalisation objectives and helping to bridge the digital divide. For commercial aviation, SES is proud to partner with its anchor customer, Thales Avionics.
Antonov 007 landed in Chayenne. This time most likely with SES-17 on board.Flew from Nice via Cape Verde to Chayenne.https://de.flightaware.com/live/flight/UR82007
SES-17 telecommunications satellite left Thales Alenia Space’s clean rooms of Cannes on September 22nd, and has just reached Europe’s spaceport, in French Guiana. The satellite is scheduled for launch on October 22nd, where it will be orbited by Arianespace jointly with another Thales Alenia Space-built satellite: Syracuse 4A.
https://cnes-csg.reservationlancement.fr/en/Inscription/LancementsAccording to that, the Ariane VA 255 launch is scheduled for October 23 at 01:01 UTC.
Does anyone have more info on the 1.5m tall "raising cylinder"? Is it made of the same Al-alloy as the fairing or the skin of the Vehicle equipment bay? The Launch kit hints that the cylinder's mass might be around 450 kg (11.2t - satellite mass - SYLDA mass) - is this about right?Since the raising cylinder's purpose seems to be to increase the fairing volume (height), are there, e.g., any special internal rails to guide SYLDA during its ejection sequence?Does the change of the center of gravity have an effect on ESC-D Cryotechnic upper stage control and guidance? Was there, e.g., a new SW requirement, or was the (original) guidance system sufficiently flexible to cover a wider range of (forward) center of gravity positions?And finally, what will be the total height of the "launcher"? 53.5m? 54m? 54.5m?
Since the raising cylinder's purpose seems to be to increase the fairing volume (height), are there, e.g., any special internal rails to guide SYLDA during its ejection sequence?
Quote from: hoku on 10/21/2021 09:08 pmSince the raising cylinder's purpose seems to be to increase the fairing volume (height), are there, e.g., any special internal rails to guide SYLDA during its ejection sequence?I believe the Sylda is bolted on top of the raising cylinder, no need for guiderails.
[Arianespace tweet]
2021-094A/49332 in 242 x 35287 km x 6.07°2021-095B/49333 in 249 x 35267 km x 5.92°
Current Orbit: 242.0000 km x 35287.0000 km x 6.0700 degrees;Apogee Speed: 1619.1639 m/s; Perigee Speed: 10199.7779 m/s; delta v to this orbit: 0.0000Sub-sync transfer.First maneuver:Apogee changed to 35786kmInclination changed to 6.0682 degreesCurrent Orbit: 242.0000 km x 35786.0000 km x 6.0682 degrees;Apogee Speed: 1601.2972 m/s; Perigee Speed: 10208.0580 m/s; delta v to this orbit: 8.2864Second maneuver:Perigee changed to 35786kmInclination changed to 0 degreesCurrent Orbit: 35786.0000 km x 35786.0000 km x 0.0000 degrees;Apogee Speed: 3074.9218 m/s; Perigee Speed: 3074.9218 m/s; delta v to this orbit: 1500.5156Total delta v to GEO: 1500.5156 m/s
Current Orbit: 249.0000 km x 35267.0000 km x 5.9200 degrees;Apogee Speed: 1620.6279 m/s; Perigee Speed: 10193.3091 m/s; delta v to this orbit: 0.0000Sub-sync transfer.First maneuver:Apogee changed to 35786kmInclination changed to 5.9182 degreesCurrent Orbit: 249.0000 km x 35786.0000 km x 5.9182 degrees;Apogee Speed: 1602.0295 m/s; Perigee Speed: 10201.9274 m/s; delta v to this orbit: 8.6241Second maneuver:Perigee changed to 35786kmInclination changed to 0 degreesCurrent Orbit: 35786.0000 km x 35786.0000 km x 0.0000 degrees;Apogee Speed: 3074.9218 m/s; Perigee Speed: 3074.9218 m/s; delta v to this orbit: 1499.2358Total delta v to GEO: 1499.2358 m/s
Fully Operational SES-17 Starts Delivering Connectivity Services Across AmericasVery high throughput geostationary satellite will expand high-speed network capabilities and accelerate digitalisation in the regionLuxembourg, 16 June 2022 – SES announced today that its newest geostationary Ka-band satellite, SES-17, is now fully operational over the Americas, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean at 67.1 degrees West. The all-electric propulsion satellite has reached orbit per schedule after months of in-orbit raising and successful in-orbit testing. The very high throughput SES-17 satellite built by Thales Alenia Space is ready to provide unparalleled connectivity services to customers across aeronautical, maritime, enterprise, and government markets whether on land, at sea, or in the skies. SES-17 anchor partner, Thales InFlyt Experience, will leverage SES-17 for FlytLive, a next-generation aviation connectivity solution enhancing Wi-Fi experiences onboard commercial aircraft across the Americas and the Caribbean. Moreover, key enterprise customers in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, including SSi Canada and COMNET, will now expand the reach and capability of their broadband networks to more remote areas. With a fully digital payload powered by the most powerful digital transponder processor in orbit, an unmatched flexibility and nearly 200 user beams, SES-17 marks not only a significant development in satellite technology, but also is a first step in the integration of SES’s multi-orbit network. The spacecraft’s digital payload is supported by the Adaptive Resource Control (ARC) software, making it interoperable with SES’s second-generation O3b mPOWER satellite communications system in medium Earth orbit (MEO), set to launch in the coming months.“We are excited to have the highly-anticipated SES-17 satellite start delivering services, while redefining and transforming the digital landscape for many different applications across the Americas and ultimately bringing high-speed connectivity to people wherever they are,” said Ruy Pinto, Chief Technology Officer at SES. “At SES, we are extremely thankful to our partners at Thales Alenia Space and Arianespace that have shared our vision at each step of SES-17’s journey to orbit.”SES-17 was successfully launched onboard an Ariane 5 launcher operated by Arianespace from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on 23 October 2021 at 11:10 pm local time (02:10 am UTC). SES-17 is the 37th SES satellite launched by Arianespace and the 30th built by Thales Alenia Space, joining the current SES satellite network of 70 satellites.
Developed with support from the French and European space agencies, CNES and ESA, the PPS®5000 was fully qualified in June 2021 after logging more than 13,000 hours of full-power firing under vacuum conditions, corresponding to the over projected lifespan of these electric thrusters for a 15-year mission in geostationary orbit. In October 2021, the PPS®5000 performed its maiden flight by propelling the SYRACUSE IV mission, French military communications satellites supplied by Thales Alenia Space. The satellite will reach orbital position in 6 months relying on PPS®5000 multiple capacities.
A large data-driven telecommunications satellite that uses innovative technology to keep cool as well as other innovations – developed under an ESA Partnership Project – has started its commercial service.The satellite will provide broadband connectivity for commercial shipping, aviation, governments and enterprises through its operator, SES, as well connecting underserved areas and accelerating digital inclusion.Called SES-17, it was launched on 23 October 2021 and spent the next six months navigating into geostationary orbit.The very high throughput SES-17 belongs to a new generation of data intensive satellites and, with its new fifth-generation digital transparent processor, is able to deliver up to ten times more capacity than traditional satellites with unmatched flexibility and efficiency.
CNES writes in the Annual Report 2021 <snip>I do not know why the report is published on August 24, 2022 and how up-to-date this information is.https://www.calameo.com/read/0000156394077c3bf4319
...the satellite achieved geostationary orbit over the next seven months, propelled by its four PPS®5000 electric thrusters (see page 41).