SES Selects SpaceX for Launch of New C-Band SatellitesLuxembourg, 5 August 2020 – SES, the leader in global content connectivity solutions, announced today that American launch provider SpaceX will provide launch capability for up to 3 of its C-band satellites over two launches as part of the company’s accelerated C-band clearing plan. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will launch two C-band satellites built by Northrop Grumman as well as provide enhanced protection to rapidly launch a contingency satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida in 2022 allowing SES to meet the Federal Communications Commission’s time-critical objective to roll out 5G services across the United States.In June, SES announced it contracted American companies Northrop Grumman and the Boeing Company to deliver four C-band satellites in accordance with SES’s accelerated C-band clearing plan. These satellites will enable SES to clear 280MHz of mid-band spectrum for 5G use while seamlessly migrating SES’s existing C-band customers and ensuring the continued delivery of digital television to nearly 120 million American TV homes and other critical data services.In the last few months, SES has been increasingly working with U.S. businesses across the country and investing in America in the C-band transition plan, and its long-standing relationship with SpaceX signifies its latest commitment to the U.S. SpaceX has launched six SES satellites in the last seven years....SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell noted, “SES is one of SpaceX‘s most-valued partners, and we are proud of their continued trust in our capabilities to reliably deliver their satellites to orbit. We are excited to once again play a role in executing SES’s solutions to meet their customers’ needs.”
SES Selects Two U.S. Companies to Build Four New Satellites as Part of Accelerated C-Band Clearing PlanJune 16, 2020Northrop Grumman will deliver two flight-proven GeoStar-3 satellites, each equipped with a high-quality C-band payload to deliver the superior customer experience that end users are accustomed to. The two satellites – SES-18 and SES-19 – will be designed, assembled and tested in Dulles, Virginia.The Boeing Company will deliver a pair of highly efficient all-electric 702SP satellites. The two satellites – SES-20 and SES-21 – will be manufactured and assembled in Los Angeles, California.These four C-band only new satellites will enable SES to clear 280 MHz of mid-band spectrum for 5G use while seamlessly migrating SES’s existing C-band customers. Each satellite will have 10 primary transponders of 36 MHz plus back-up tubes so they can enable the broadcast delivery of digital television to more than 120 million TV homes as well as provide critical data services. The satellites, when launched in Q3 2022, will be positioned at 103 degrees West, 131 degrees West and 135 degrees West orbital slots. The cost of manufacturing these four satellites is part of the USD 1.6 billion investment envelope that SES has announced in May.
Will these be on the same launch, or two different launches?
Construction of the satellites is well under way, and SES currently expects to launch all four spacecraft during the third quarter of 2022.
SES-18 mass is 1139 kg & SES-19 is 1280 kg
Quote from: StraumliBlight on 09/10/2021 02:40 pm SES-18 mass is 1139 kg & SES-19 is 1280 kgIs that at end of life?
https://www.ses.com/sites/default/files/2022-02/SES%20Full%20Year%202021%20Results_0.pdf
https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-RPL-20210812-00099...
Two more C-band satellites — SES 18 and 19 built by Northrop Grumman — will launch together on a single Falcon 9 rocket around the end of the year.
Not much new to SES-18/19, C-Band Q2 2022 Report [June 30]:Quote...SES-18 and SES-19 will not be available for launch before November 2022 at the earliest due to a number of manufacturing delays. Assuming the current SES-18 and SES-19 schedule is maintained, SES now expects SES-18 and SES-19 to start commercial service by end of December 2022 / Q1 2023. ...The launch slot selection for SES-18 and SES-19 is still to be confirmed.
...SES-18 and SES-19 will not be available for launch before November 2022 at the earliest due to a number of manufacturing delays. Assuming the current SES-18 and SES-19 schedule is maintained, SES now expects SES-18 and SES-19 to start commercial service by end of December 2022 / Q1 2023. ...The launch slot selection for SES-18 and SES-19 is still to be confirmed.
...While the SpaceX F9 launcher for SES-22 was available in June 2022, the F9 launcher for SES-18 and SES-19 will not be available before January 2023 due to the delays from the original Northrop Grumman delivery and priority of US government launches. Assuming the current Northrop Grumman delivery schedule for SES-18 and SES-19 is maintained, SES expects SES-18 and SES-19 to start commercial service by April 2023. ...As described above, the Northrop Grumman satellites, SES-18 and SES-19, have experienced manufacturing delays. Since our last report, we have also been informed by SpaceX that the earliest available launch opportunity for SES-18 and SES-19 is Q1 2023 as a result of higher priority US government launches scheduled for Q4 2022. Because of these delays, which are beyond SES’s control, there is a significant risk SES-18 and SES-19 will not be commercially available until the beginning of Q2 2023....Construction by Thales of the second ground spare, SES-23, began on June 1, 2021 and is expected to be delivered in March 2023. Subject to the successful launch and deployment of all necessary C-band transition satellites, SES-23 may become unused....The Northrop Grumman SES-18 and SES-19 satellites are expected to be launched in Q1 2023; however the launch slot week is still to be confirmed by SpaceX. The launcher for SES-23 has not been contracted.
SES CEO Steve Collar recently said he expects SpaceX will launch its final two C-band satellites late this year or early next.
SES-18 and SES-19 are expected to launch together on March 6, 2023. Intelsat expects the LEOP and IOT period to last approximately 30 days.
QuoteSES-18 and SES-19 are expected to launch together on March 6, 2023. Intelsat expects the LEOP and IOT period to last approximately 30 days.
Quote from: gongora on 02/02/2023 07:05 pmQuoteSES-18 and SES-19 are expected to launch together on March 6, 2023. Intelsat expects the LEOP and IOT period to last approximately 30 days.Seems impossibly close to Mar 7th Intesat 40eand March 11th CRS-27 dates we have but maybe one of those is slipping?
The same colleague says that the new target launch date is April 7.
Quote from: gongora on 02/02/2023 07:05 pmQuoteSES-18 and SES-19 are expected to launch together on March 6, 2023. Intelsat expects the LEOP and IOT period to last approximately 30 days.Seems impossibly close to Mar 7th Intesat 40e and March 11th CRS-27 dates we have but maybe one of those is slipping?
Quote from: Comga on 01/24/2023 05:17 amThe word from a colleague with direct knowledge is that Intelsat 40e will not launch on March 7.Current target date is March 23 but a slip “into April would not be surprising”.The same colleague says that the new target launch date is April 7.
The word from a colleague with direct knowledge is that Intelsat 40e will not launch on March 7.Current target date is March 23 but a slip “into April would not be surprising”.
ASDS 1st stage landing likely?Different make/model, but same general purpose: Galaxy 33 and 34 launch used ASDS landing.
0157-EX-ST-2023Mission 1589, SLC-40 or LC-39AOperation Start Date = 2023 Mar 2ASDS North 28 13 18 West 73 43 45 (GTO/ASDS landing approx. 670km downrange)"Uses information from" 2087-EX-ST-2022 (Amazonas Nexus 6)
That mission number seems to be in between previous Intelsat and SES C-band launches
SES-18 and SES-19 have officially left storage at our Dulles satellite manufacturing facility. 🛰The satellites have arrived at their next destination and are on the road to launch! 🚀 Stay tuned for mission details.
SES@SES_SatellitesCheck out these #BTS looks as we count down to the launch of our #SES18 and #SES19 satellites! 🤩
https://twitter.com/SES_Satellites/status/1626620208348643329QuoteSES@SES_SatellitesCheck out these #BTS looks as we count down to the launch of our #SES18 and #SES19 satellites! 🤩
102225Z MAR 23NAVAREA IV 277/23(11, 26).STRAITS OF FLORIDA.WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.FLORIDA.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 2328Z TO 0113Z DAILY 17 THRU 24 MAR IN AREAS BOUND BY: A. 28-38.09N 080-37.04W, 28-40.00N 080-16.00W, 28-39.00N 079-59.00W, 28-30.00N 079-58.00W, 28-30.00N 080-08.00W, 28-30.88N 080-33.22W. B. 28-14.00N 075-29.00W, 28-29.00N 075-28.00W, 28-30.00N 072-43.00W, 28-28.00N 072-11.00W, 27-58.00N 072-11.00W, 27-49.00N 072-41.00W. 2. CANCEL THIS MSG 240207Z MAR 23.
NGA notice
Departure! Just Read the Instructions droneship and tug Crosby Skipper are outbound to support the upcoming SES 18/19 mission - NET March 17th!nsf.live/spacecoast
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4745saying Fri Mar 17, 2023 23:34 GMT1 hr 1min earlier or is that meant to be 1 min earlier and some confusion re daylight saving?
A Falcon 9 from pad 40 will launch the SES-18 & 19 satellites on March 17 at 7:34 p.m. EDT.
The launch of SES-18 and -19 #satellites complete the mission to support the @FCC’s order to make the lower portion of C-band spectrum available to #mobilenetwork operators to further the rollout of critical 5G services in the US. 🛰️ Stay tuned for launch details! 🚀
Departure! Bob is outbound from Port Canaveral to support the SES 18/19 mission! JRTI droneship left a few days ago.Live: nsf.live/spacecoast
SpaceX is targeting Friday, March 17 for launch of the SES-18 and SES-19 mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 38-minute launch window opens at 7:38 p.m. ET (23:38 UTC). The 38-minute launch window opens at 7:38 p.m. ET (23:38 UTC). A backup launch opportunity is available on Saturday, March 18 with a 37-minute window opening at the same time.The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, and two Starlink missions. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff.
The Falcon 9 will aim to release the two Northrop Grumman-built satellites into a “sub-synchronous” transfer orbit with an apogee, or high point, short of the satellites’ final 22,000-mile-high operating altitude in geostationary orbit.In launch configuration, the two nearly identical satellites weigh 15,995 pounds (7,255 kilograms), according to a Northrop Grumman spokesperson. The lower satellite in the dual-payload stack, SES 19, weighs about 100 pounds more than the upper satellite because it carries structural components to directly connect the spacecraft together during the ride into orbit.
SES-18 & 19 vertical on the pad, liftoff set for 7:38 p.m. EDT tonight.
Two SpaceX Falcon 9 launches are on tap today! First, a Starlink mission from Vandenberg at 12:26 PM PDT (19:26 UTC), then a pair of SES communications satellites from Cape Canaveral at 7:38 PM EDT (23:38 UTC).Article by William Graham (@w_d_graham):
👀 It’s happening… #SES18 #SES19
SpaceX recovery ship Bob is 760km downrange to recover the fairing for the upcoming SES 18/19 mission. Just Read the Instructions droneship is a little closer, at 650km, for the Falcon 9 first stage to land.
Falcon 9 vertical at SLC-40 ahead of tonight’s launch of the @SES_Satellites SES-18 and SES-19 mission; teams are keeping an eye on winds at the launch site
The 2nd Falcon 9 launch of the day is set to take place at 7:38pm ET, just 6 minutes after sunset. With that kind of timing, and clear skies overhead, it should be a great show!Watch live: youtube.com/live/NGXD_RPG6…
Well, it's been a good few hours since SpaceX last launched a Falcon 9, so you'll be looking forward to this! 😅Falcon 9 B1069-6 is set to launch SES-18 and SES-19 from SLC-40.Overview:nasaspaceflight.com/2023/03/spacex…NSF Livestream:youtube.com/watch?v=NGXD_R…
NSF streaming today from just 2.1 miles from Falcon 9, closer than usual. Don't worry! It's all okay, the SLD45 has provided that access for today so definitely not complaining about it at all, hopefully we see more chances like this one, it's so cool.
Just Read the Instructions with a lucky clover for St Patricks day
Liftoff!
LAUNCH! Falcon 9 B1069-6 launches SES-18 and SES-19 from SLC-40.Overview:nasaspaceflight.com/2023/03/spacex…NSF Livestream:youtube.com/watch?v=NGXD_R…
Staging 1-2.
Amazing views of the Second Stage continuing, while the Booster heads for the drone ship and the two fairing halves line up for recovery from the Atlantic. youtube.com/watch?v=NGXD_R…
SpaceX Falcon 9 B1069 completes its sixth mission, landing on drone ship Just Read The Instructions.And that's a bullseye!youtube.com/watch?v=NGXD_R…
And that's two Falcon 9 launch and landings back to back 4h and 12min apart, another record for SpaceX.
Liftoff of SES-18 and SES-19 from SLC-40!📷: Me for @SuperclusterHQ
Deployment of SES-18 confirmed
Staging 1-2. Two distinct objects turned into 4 as the second stage fairings were jettisoned as the first stage fell away back towards its landing zone offshore in the Atlantic Ocean
Friday was a busy day for #SpaceX: Starlink satellites launched from the west coast, then a #Falcon9 booster returned to port (left) & at 7:38pm (EDT) another Falcon9 rocket carried the #SES18 & #SES19 satellites to orbit (streak, to the right). (📷: me / @WeReportSpace)
Deployment of SES-19 confirmed
A stunning sunset launch for @spacex. Sending SES-18 and SES-19 to space atop a Falcon 9 rocket.
SpaceX performs a doubleheader, launching two Falcon 9 rockets just over 4 hours apart. This one, carrying 2 satellites for SES, lifted off from SLC-40 in Cape Canaveral at 7:38pm. Mission overview: nasaspaceflight.com/2023/03/spacex…
Falcon 9 launches SES-18 & SES-19
Falcon 9 passing through Max-Q
A shot of Falcon 9 shortly before stage separation 🔥
Falcon 9 launches SES-18 and SES-19 to orbit
“It’s Friday” -Rebecca BlackFalcon 9 and two communications satellites for SES ride into the sunset on this fine Friday evening after launching from SLC-40 at 7:38pm local time. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀
Fully automated track of tonight's SpaceX launch with zero human inputs. Stage 2 even went behind a cloud for a bit. The system reverted to @flightclubio data to maintain the correct trajectory during that period.
The software compares neural net tracking data with the FlightClub predictions and adds error offsets to improve accuracy when the FlightClub data is needed.
Not quite jellyfish weather, both in the Jupiter Inlet and in the sky as SpaceX launches SES-18 and SES-19 into orbit right around sunset 150 miles south of the launch site. This is 150 still images merged together btw.All about the mission: nasaspaceflight.com/2023/03/spacex…
Can confirm telemetry has been acquired from both #SES18 and #SES19 and so MISSION SUCCESS! Thanks to @SpaceX for a great ride. We will take it from here @SES_Satellites
https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1636875201471295489QuoteWilliam Harwood @cbs_spacenewsF9/SES-18/19: LIFTOFF! At 7:38pm EDT (2338 UTC)
William Harwood @cbs_spacenewsF9/SES-18/19: LIFTOFF! At 7:38pm EDT (2338 UTC)
Did anyone else notice something (solar array??) flapping around on SES-19 shortly before and after payload fairing sep? Maybe it was just insulation? It concerned me. Glad to hear both satellites have checked in and there aren’t any problems that we are aware of.
SES-18, SES-19 and Falcon 9 stage 2 cataloged as 55970-72 in a 308 x 19720 km x 26.9 deg subsync transfer orbit, confirming successful launch.
CelesTrak has GP data for 3 objects from the launch (2023-038) of SES-18 & SES-19 atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on Mar 17 at 2338 UTC: spaceflightnow.com/2023/03/17/fal…. Data for the launch can be found at: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2023-038
Bob arrived at Port Canaveral at 2am this morning with both faring halves from the SES 18/19 launch.nsf.live/spacecoast
SpaceX Falcon 9 B1069 circling just outside port (but within sight of our camera 😉) waiting for the Mickey Mouse cruise ship to depart. Arriving in Port Canaveral shortly.nsf.live/spacecoast
View from the second stage following last week's launch of SES-18 and SES-19 to a geosynchronous transfer orbit
This four leaf clover provided all the required luck to land the Falcon 9 on St. Patricks day! 🍀Live views of the rocket: nsf.live/spacecoast
Booster 1069 has returned to Port Canaveral after a sixth flight delivering SES 18 & 19 to orbit. More about the mission: nasaspaceflight.com/2023/03/spacex…Views of port: nsf.live/spacecoast📷 Me for @NASASpaceflight
Disney Wish departureJRTI & B1069 arrival Just another Monday on Florida’s space coast 🌴
To space & back ✌🏻
Falcon & humans for scaleFt. sooty battle scars
B1069 is back in Port!! 🚀@SpaceOffshore
55970 SES 18 2023-038A 348.37 26.89 19736 30855971 SES 19 2023-038B 348.05 26.89 19717 308 55972 OBJECT C 2023-038C 347.87 26.90 19710 303
The international designator for SES-18 in Space-Track TLE is wrong:0 SES 18 1 55970U 23039A 23199.53672028 -.00000101 00000-0 00000+0 0 9992 2 55970 0.0591 253.6591 0000870 317.6770 174.8648 1.00271722 1449Could someone at Space-Track.org please change 23039A to 23038A?
