SpaceX F9 : Ovzon-3 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 3 January 2024 (23:04 UTC)

[Zed_Noir]

<snip>
I don't understand why such a small satellite isn't equipped with chemical propulsion.
The innovative payload can certainly be installed there too.
The satellite will be heavier, but is ready for use much more quickly, important for newcomers, and a service life of 20 years can also be achieved with it.
<snip>

AIUI adding anything to the current satellite configuration costs money that Ovzon might not have with the program running behind schedule using up the budget. Also Ovzon-3 is likely more of a short term pathfinder for follow on satcoms than a permanent long term operational satcom, IMO.

[GWR64]

<snip>
I don't understand why such a small satellite isn't equipped with chemical propulsion.
The innovative payload can certainly be installed there too.
The satellite will be heavier, but is ready for use much more quickly, important for newcomers, and a service life of 20 years can also be achieved with it.
<snip>

AIUI adding anything to the current satellite configuration costs money that Ovzon might not have with the program running behind schedule using up the budget. Also Ovzon-3 is likely more of a short term pathfinder for follow on satcoms than a permanent long term operational satcom, IMO.

why add?
Ovzon would have a normal small GEO satellite bus from Maxar, TAS or NG, which might have been ready to launch earlier.
You think that's more expensive?
The payload is sophisticated, so it didn't have to be this unique small satellite platform, if Ovzon urgently needed its first own satellite.
Of course, a rideshare launch with Falcon H directly into the GEO (first plan) or an Ariane 5 launch with Konnect VHTS into the GTO (second plan, price rumors: < $50 million) would not have been possible.
Now they lost money to Arianespace and had to go back to SpaceX, and probably lost a lot of time.

[Zed_Noir]

<snip>
I don't understand why such a small satellite isn't equipped with chemical propulsion.
The innovative payload can certainly be installed there too.
The satellite will be heavier, but is ready for use much more quickly, important for newcomers, and a service life of 20 years can also be achieved with it.
<snip>

AIUI adding anything to the current satellite configuration costs money that Ovzon might not have with the program running behind schedule using up the budget. Also Ovzon-3 is likely more of a short term pathfinder for follow on satcoms than a permanent long term operational satcom, IMO.

why add?
Ovzon would have a normal small GEO satellite bus from Maxar, TAS or NG, which might have been ready to launch earlier.
You think that's more expensive?
The payload is sophisticated, so it didn't have to be this unique small satellite platform, if Ovzon urgently needed its first own satellite.
Of course, a rideshare launch with Falcon H directly into the GEO (first plan) or an Ariane 5 launch with Konnect VHTS into the GTO (second plan, price rumors: < $50 million) would not have been possible.
Now they lost money to Arianespace and had to go back to SpaceX, and probably lost a lot of time.

I agree with you, Oczon should have just installed their payload into a small GEO satellite bus and buy a dedicated GTO launch.

However Ovzon did get start with Ovzon-3 for whatever reasons. So they are stuck with the unique small satellite bus once spacecraft construction progress passed a certain point.

[gongora]

It isn't really a unique bus, Maxar is using it for other satellites.  There also aren't many proven small-geo buses in operation. (And there weren't any when Ovzon started this process. Some of the small-geo satellites announced back then never happened.)

[GWR64]

2024-003A    58698    OVZON-3     1,040.11 min      21.84 deg.   52,189 km   3,065 km

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?NAME=Ovzon-3
...

2024-003A    58698    OVZON-3     1,181.98 min     17.28 deg.   56,283 km    5,023 km

10 kw electrical power, 1.8 t satellite mass, pushes quite well

[GWR64]

2024-003A    58698    OVZON-3     1,040.11 min      21.84 deg.   52,189 km   3,065 km

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?NAME=Ovzon-3
...

2024-003A    58698    OVZON-3     1,181.98 min     17.28 deg.   56,283 km    5,023 km

10 kw electrical power, 1.8 t satellite mass, pushes quite well

2024-003A    58698    OVZON-3     1,488.15 min    1.97 deg.   45,312 km   28,287 km
Source CelesTrak

it takes patience, the data doesn't come regularly either

[GWR64]

2024-003A    58698    OVZON-3     1,040.11 min      21.84 deg.   52,189 km   3,065 km

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?NAME=Ovzon-3
...

2024-003A    58698    OVZON-3     1,181.98 min     17.28 deg.   56,283 km    5,023 km

10 kw electrical power, 1.8 t satellite mass, pushes quite well

2024-003A    58698    OVZON-3     1,488.15 min    1.97 deg.   45,312 km   28,287 km
Source CelesTrak

it takes patience, the data doesn't come regularly either

2024-003A    58698    OVZON-3     1,436.18 min   0.07 deg.   35,794 km   35,783 km

GEO done, about 60° E

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://www.ovzon.com/en/ovzon-3-ready-for-commercial-service/

JULY 5, 2024 NON REGULATORY
Ovzon 3 ready for commercial service

As previously communicated, Ovzon’s proprietary satellite Ovzon 3 has reached its orbital position in the geostationary arc. After a few weeks of final in-orbit testing, the satellite is now ready for commercial service.

The first delivery of SATCOM-as-a-Service from Ovzon 3 will be to the French government organization GIGN (Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) who will use the service with immediate effect to meet its advanced connectivity needs during the Summer Games 2024 in France.

The Ovzon 3 in-orbit tests are on schedule, and the satellite is now ready for commercial service. Moreover, the tests show that the performance and capability of the Ovzon 3 steerable beams meet requirements and even exceed the high set expectations, achieving an Ovzon T7 terminal industry leading throughput of 10 Mbps on uplink and 135 Mbps on downlink.

The Ovzon 3 satellite includes the Ovzon On-Board-Processor as well as five powerful steerable beams that can be used for maximized capacity in an equal number of geographical regions.

“This is a moment of great pride for our company. With the satellite now ready for commercial service, Ovzon is entering a new and exciting phase. Supporting the well-renowned French elite organization, GIGN throughout the Summer Games with Ovzon SATCOM-as-a-Service is not only a great honor but also the perfect first use-case. It is the ultimate demonstration of our commitment to our customers by connecting the world’s critical missions via satellite”, says Per Norén, CEO of Ovzon.

[sdsds]

10 kw electrical power, 1.8 t satellite mass, pushes quite well

Any clue why the slope of the SMA line changes between February and March? Did it stop pushing as hard?

[gongora]

When did they start lowering apogee?  A lot of the work was to change inclination, not just altitude.

[GewoonLukas_]

New expected lifespan of 18 years:

Three years expanded lifespan for Ovzon’s new satellite Ovzon 3
November 15, 2024

Following the successful deployment of Ovzon's new satellite, Ovzon 3, the company, based on the assessment from the manufacturer, has determined that the estimated lifespan is 18 years. The satellite is expected to remain operational until 2042. The manufacturer previously calculated the lifespan to be 15 years. This results in reduced annual depreciation of 20 MSEK.

Ovzon 3 was launched on January 3, 2024, and reached its orbit by the end of the second quarter of 2024. The satellite entered into service during the third quarter of 2024 and has therefore been reclassified as a fixed asset, with depreciation having commenced.

"The launch and start of commercial service of Ovzon 3 have been conducted optimally without incidents. Based on data from the manufacturer it has been determined that the lifespan is 18 years. This improves the return on investment for Ovzon on this highly strategic investment", says Ovzon’s CEO Per Norén.