@SES_Satellites @Boeing-built, all-electric SES-15 sat arrives at Euro spaceport for late-April Soyuz launch to GTO, a 1st for @Arianespace.
SES-15 Arrives at Kourou for Launch Onboard SoyuzWritten on 15 Mar 2017First SES hybrid satellite with high throughput capability to serve leading inflight connectivity and entertainment providers; also carries WAAS payload to augment the GPSLUXEMBOURG, 15 March 2017 -- SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) announced today that the SES-15 satellite has arrived at the European space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, in preparation for its launch by a Soyuz vehicle in April 2017.Designed and manufactured by Boeing, SES-15 will carry a hybrid payload, with additional Ku-band wide beams and Ku- as well as Ka-band High Throughput Satellite (HTS) capability. The satellite will be equipped with an electric propulsion system for orbit-raising and in-orbit maneuvers. The satellite will also carry the Wide Area Augmentation Systems (WAAS), a US government-funded hosted payload to augment the Global Positioning Systems (GPS).SES-15 is the first SES hybrid satellite to be launched and is equipped with 16 Ku-band transponders (36MHz equivalent) as well as a 10 GHz high throughput payload. The all-electric satellite will operate at the new orbital position of 129 degrees West and will serve North America, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.SES-15 is the first of three hybrid wide beam and HTS satellites, delivering optimized and flexible global coverage for major global IFC/IFE providers who have made significant, long-term pre-commitments. The satellite will also enable other traffic intensive data applications such as government, VSAT networks and maritime.
Stéphane Israël @arianespaceceo 4m4 minutes agoGoing electric! @SES_Satellites’ electric-propelled #SES15 arrives in French Guiana for launch on our next #Soyuz Flight, #VS17 in April
Stéphane Israël @arianespaceceo 3m3 minutes agoI’m pleased to welcome @Boeing back to the Spaceport with delivery of the company-built #SES15 for @arianespace’s #Soyuz Flight #VS17
#SES15 @Arianespace @BoeingDefense
In the Arianespace Launch Schedule, it says that SES-15 is launching atop the Soyuz-STA Fregat-M variant.Any sources confirming that?
Volga-Dnepr Airlines has delivered the third stage of the Soyuz-ST launch vehicle to Europe’s Spaceport in Cayenne
If you were wondering, this arrived last week and is already at #CSG #VS17
SES Verified account @SES_Satellites 2m2 minutes ago#SES15 @Arianespace @BoeingDefense
QuoteVolga-Dnepr Airlines has delivered the third stage of the Soyuz-ST launch vehicle to Europe’s Spaceport in Cayennehttps://twitter.com/volgadneprgroup/status/845185271469555713QuoteIf you were wondering, this arrived last week and is already at #CSG #VS17https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/845196453429456896
Seems like May 18 is the new target launch date: http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic15870/message1639905/#message1639905
VS17, May 18, 2017: a Soyuz launcher will orbit SES-15 for the operator SES.
SES-15 is readied for its May 18 liftoff on Arianespace’s workhorse Soyuz launcherPayload preparations are advancing for Arianespace’s upcoming launch: a Soyuz mission to orbit the SES-15 telecommunications spacecraft from the Spaceport in French Guiana next week.The satellite has been installed on its payload adapter, which will serve as the integration interface with the Soyuz launch vehicle. This mating activity occurred in the Spaceport’s S1B clean room facility.SES-15 will be the 40th satellite launched by Arianespace for the European-based SES satellite operator, and it marks this long-time customer’s first use of the Soyuz from French Guiana.The satellite has an estimated liftoff mass of 2,302 kg., with the workhorse Soyuz launcher’s total lift performance set at 2,447 kg. – taking into account the payload integration equipment and other hardware.Next week’s mission is set for a May 18 liftoff in the morning hours from the Spaceport’s Soyuz Launch Complex (ELS) in Sinnamary, French Guiana, delivering SES-15 into a sub-geostationary transfer orbit. The mission is designated Flight VS17 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system, signifying the 17th Soyuz liftoff from the Spaceport.
Installation of SES-15 on its payload adapterSES-15 is installed on its payload adapter in the Spaceport’s S1B clean room facility.
Quote from: ZachS09 on 03/20/2017 11:38 pmIn the Arianespace Launch Schedule, it says that SES-15 is launching atop the Soyuz-STA Fregat-M variant.Any sources confirming that?Arianespace mission 17was originally ordered as am ST-B but changed to an ST-A per http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=17286.550