-
SpaceX Falcon 9 : GovSat-1 (SES-16) : Jan 31. 2018 - UPDATES
by
Chris Bergin
on 15 Jan, 2018 12:14
-
UPDATE thread for GovSat-1 satellite launching on Falcon 9
NSF Threads for GovSat-1 : Discussion /
Updates / L2 Coverage
January-FebruaryNSF Articles for GovSat-1 : [Jan. 26, 2018]
SpaceX static fire flight-proven booster for SES-16/GovSat1 mission [Jan. 31, 2018]
Falcon 9 launches GovSat-1 from SLC-40 – Booster survives water landingSuccessful launch on January 31, 2018 at 1625 EST/2125 UTC on reused Falcon 9 (1032.2) from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral. The first stage landed intact in the ocean after testing a more aggressive landing burn.
First order for the company since the merger?
ORBITAL ATK’S GEOSTAR-3 SATELLITE PLATFORM GAINS TRACTION AMONG WORLD’S TOP SATELLITE OPERATORSSES Selects Orbital ATK to Build SES-16/GovSat Satellite for Mid-2017 Delivery
Third GEOStar-3 Spacecraft Ordered Since 2014 Introduction
Dulles, Virginia, 16 February 2015 – Orbital ATK, Inc. (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, announced today it received a contract to build a communications satellite for LuxGovSat, a newly created joint venture between SES and the Luxembourg government. SES-16/GovSat will be used to provide military satellite bandwidth to governments and institutions. The Luxembourg government has pre-committed to a significant amount of capacity in support of its NATO obligations.
Based on Orbital ATK’s recently introduced GEOStar-3™ satellite platform, SES-16/GovSat is a multi-mission satellite using dedicated military frequencies (X-band and military Ka-band) to provide high-powered and fully steerable spot beams for multiple government-specific missions. It is Orbital ATK’s 40th GEOStar satellite sale, the third GEOStar-3 satellite purchased, and seventh GEOStar satellite to be built for SES.
“SES is one of the world’s most prominent satellite operators and this contract demonstrates a continued confidence in our GEOStar product line. As a customer-focused company known for innovation, reliability and affordability, we are pleased to provide LuxGovSat with a high-quality satellite that will meet expectations in cost, schedule and performance,” said Chris Richmond, VP and GM of the Commercial Satellite Division at Orbital ATK’s Space Systems Group. “Based on our exceptional record of delivering flight-proven satellites on time and on budget, Orbital ATK continues to be a partner that SES and the Government of Luxembourg can count on.”
Orbital ATK’s GEOStar satellite platform can accommodate all types of commercial communications payloads and is compatible with all major commercial launchers. The GEOStar design is optimized for satellite missions requiring up to eight kilowatts of payload power.
The company also offers a hybrid electric propulsion GEOStar-3 design that provides the benefits of higher power/higher payload capability while still maintaining advantageous launch costs.
Martin Halliwell, Chief Technology Officer of SES, commented, “The joint procurement of SES-16/GovSat opens a new chapter in the strategically important government business vertical and in the cooperation between SES and the Luxembourg government. SES-16/GovSat will ensure flexibility for the ever-changing missions of governments and institutions in the security, defense and civil arena and will allow for the deployment of integrated and smart end-to-end managed solutions for these demanding customers.”
SES-16/GovSat will be designed, manufactured and tested at Orbital ATK’s satellite manufacturing facility in Dulles, Virginia. It is slated for delivery in mid-2017. Once in orbit, it will be positioned on the European geostationary orbit arc with coverage areas over Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It will have a service life of 15 years.
Orbital ATK’s Space Systems Group (SSG) is an industry leader in satellite technology and advanced rated space systems providing a broad portfolio of products and services for commercial, military, civil government and international customers. The Group designs, manufactures and operates small to medium-class satellites for communication, imaging, science, human exploration and military operations. SSG also specializes in market-leading integrated thermal control systems, space components that power and enable satellites of all classes, satellite servicing technology and premier technical engineering services to government agencies and laboratories.
SES Upcoming LaunchesGovSat-1 on SES.com /
GovSat-1 on Gunter's Space Page
Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight: SpaceX News Articles (Recent) /
SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews) SpaceX Dragon Articles /
SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions) L2 SpaceX Section
-
#1
by
Chris Bergin
on 15 Jan, 2018 12:16
-
-
#2
by
Michael Baylor
on 17 Jan, 2018 20:51
-
Looking forward to @GovSatLu 1st #satellite launch with @SpaceX. Following Zuma mission, our engineering staff have reviewed all relevant launch vehicle flight data following last Falcon-9 launcher mission. We are confident on SpaceX readiness & set for Govsat-1 launch late Jan!
https://twitter.com/SES_Satellites/status/953732417810034688
-
#3
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 Jan, 2018 05:37
-
New launch license attached.
Note this isn’t specific for GovSat-1, it’s for F9 GTO comms sat launches from LC-40. So GovSat-1 is the first launch it applies to. License is for 5 years, so should reduce future paperwork a bit!
-
#4
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 21 Jan, 2018 16:31
-
Per the 45th Space Wing confirming this morning that they cannot support static fire and launch ops during the U.S. government federation shutdown, it's worth noting that as of this moment, this doesn't significantly impact GovSat/SES-16 on 30 January just yet. We're 9 days out from that launch (and about 4-5 days out from a needed static fire).
If the shutdown doesn't drag on, this could still happen as scheduled. If the shutdown drags on, however...
-
#5
by
Raul
on 25 Jan, 2018 13:04
-
-
#6
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 25 Jan, 2018 18:43
-
Airspace closure area & launch hazard area
-
#7
by
vaporcobra
on 25 Jan, 2018 19:59
-
Booster is rolling out at LC-40, apparently. Rather bad air/image quality but I do see something that at least vaguely resembles F9 on the TEL.
-
#8
by
ZachS09
on 25 Jan, 2018 20:09
-
-
#9
by
Chris Bergin
on 26 Jan, 2018 12:44
-
Static Fire is NET today (although some say likely Saturday), but we still don't have a window.
-
#10
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 26 Jan, 2018 13:09
-
-
#11
by
Ronsmytheiii
on 26 Jan, 2018 14:34
-
-
#12
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 26 Jan, 2018 14:49
-
Launch weather forecast is 80% GO, but upper level winds at 120 kts would be an issue:
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Liftoff Winds
Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layer Rule
-
#13
by
Chris Bergin
on 26 Jan, 2018 16:01
-
-
#14
by
Elthiryel
on 26 Jan, 2018 16:03
-
According to the forecast, launch window has been slightly adjusted, now it's 2125-2346 UTC (was 2123-2337 UTC).
-
#15
by
Chris Bergin
on 26 Jan, 2018 16:18
-
-
#16
by
tvg98
on 26 Jan, 2018 16:28
-
-
#17
by
vaporcobra
on 26 Jan, 2018 18:31
-
And the static fire! Looks to be around 6-8 seconds in duration.
-
#18
by
Nehkara
on 26 Jan, 2018 18:46
-
-
#19
by
Raul
on 26 Jan, 2018 19:01
-
Launch weather forecast is 80% GO, but upper level winds at 120 kts would be an issue:
Launch weather forecast is changed to 40% GO.
Vehicle: Falcon 9 GovSat-1
Issued: 26 Jan 2018/1200 EST(1700 UTC)
Valid: 30 Jan 2018/1625-1846 EST (2125-2346 UTC)
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 60%
Primary concern(s): Liftoff Winds
Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layer Rule