Launching May 24, 2018 at 12:29am EDT (0429 UTC) on Falcon 9 (reused booster, maybe 1040.2?) from SLC-40. Booster will be expended.
On that mission, which an SES official said is currently scheduled for no earlier than May 31, SpaceX will haul the Airbus-built SES 12 communications satellite toward a perch in geostationary orbit more than 22,000 miles (nearly 36,000 kilometers) over the equator.
[Spaceflight Now] New target dates set for next two Falcon 9 launchesQuoteOn that mission, which an SES official said is currently scheduled for no earlier than May 31, SpaceX will haul the Airbus-built SES 12 communications satellite toward a perch in geostationary orbit more than 22,000 miles (nearly 36,000 kilometers) over the equator.
#SpaceX will be conducting a Static Fire Test of their Falcon 9 rocket at SLC-40 on CCAFS on Thursday, May 24th. The 7-second run of the Falcon 9 engines is scheduled to occur within a 6-hour test window, currently scheduled for 1100 - 1700 Eastern Time. 🚀
Attached: Launch Hazard Area for May 31 SpaceX #SES12 mission from LC 40. Roughly 1.5-hour window for Block 4 #Falcon9 opens at 0029 ET (0429 UTC). Expendable, so no landing attempt.
SpaceX has positioned a Falcon 9 rocket on its launch pad at Cape Canaveral for a hold-down engine firing today. The launcher is set to blast off May 31 with the SES 12 communications satellite. spaceflightnow.com/2018/05/24/fal…
Today’s static fire test of a Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral is targeted for 3pm EDT (1900 GMT). It’s a key test ahead of launch May 31 with the SES 12 communications satellite. https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/05/24/falcon-9-ses-12-launch-preps/ …
The new target time for the Falcon 9 rocket's static fire test today at Cape Canaveral is 4:30pm EDT (2030 GMT). spaceflightnow.com/2018/05/24/fal…
The static fire test of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral, in preparation for a launch next week, is now expected some time this evening. spaceflightnow.com/2018/05/24/fal…
The static fire test is now expected around 9 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. EDT tonight, and the range has agreed to extend the test window to 10 p.m. EDT (0200 GMT).
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 70% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 60% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule
SpaceX @SpaceXNow targeting June 1 launch of SES-12 from Pad 40; team using additional time to perform pre-launch vehicle checks, also closely watching weather conditions at the Cape.
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 60% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 60% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 40% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 30% Primary concern(s): Liftoff Winds Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 30% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule, Liftoff Winds
SES CTO Martin Halliwell: Looking at a 4-hour launch window Monday for #SES12. Will stop the countdown at around T-minus 70 minutes, then look for a slot. Will "thread the needle," he says. Satellite is still in hangar. #Falcon9
Halliwell: #SES12 is "the most powerful spacecraft we've ever had built for us." "It's really, really big." Almost full electrical propulsion, but there is some chemical.
Halliwell: Stripped everything off #Falcon9, including landing legs, because it's an expendable mission. "Going straight for the ocean," he says while the #OCISLY drone ship is in the background. (Event being held at Port Canaveral, where OCISLY is stationed.)
Halliwell: Ideally, SpaceX will have a long enough launch window to fuel #Falcon9 twice for #SES12, if necessary. Still targeting just after midnight Monday.
SES CTO Halliwell: "Monster engine" in #Falcon9 upper stage will fire 3 to 5 seconds longer to get #SES12 even higher. "Completely changes the dynamics of the project," he says. Those few seconds of burn time could get the satellite up to 7 more years of operational life.
They’ve stripped the landing legs and recovery hardware from the first stage because there won’t be a landing. The first stage booster is Block 4 and the upper stage is Block 5 “There’s a ton of performance on this rocket” said SES. @Teslarati #ses12 #spacex
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 30% Primary concern(s): Liftoff Winds Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20% Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layers Rule, Liftoff Winds
SES confirms that SpaceX teams still working toward early Monday launch of hybrid #Falcon9 that features Block 4 first stage and Block 5 second stage. Four-hour window opens at 0029 ET (0429 UTC). Weather 70% go. #SES12
Falcon 9 and SES-12 went vertical this morning on Pad 40 in Florida. Weather is 70% favorable for the four-hour launch window which opens on June 4 at 12:29 a.m. EDT, or 4:29 UTC. spacex.com/webcast
A rain-soaked #Falcon9 as we wait out a rain and lightning delay to set up remotes. #SES12 #SpaceX
Heavy showers pass at SLC-40 this afternoon as media attempts to set up remote cameras. #falcon9 #SES12 #spacex
The #SES12 mission is still on for tonight with a window starting at 12:29am. This Falcon 9 has a B5 upper stage and a B4 first stage—the second time this configuration takes flight.
Each of the flown Falcon 9 boosters have unique features. This is SES-12.
T+5 minutes. Stage insulation is flapping around.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket takes to the skies with SES-12 at 12:45am this morning. What a beautiful launch with beautiful reflections in the water!
Owner @SES_Satellites confirms signal acquisition for SES-12. Successful Falcon 9 mission for @SpaceX. Sat will be moved to 95degE and will deploy its eight antennas.
SES-12 stuns at midnight steaking to orbit past and in between the rising Moon and reflecting #Falcon9 rocket light on @NASA #VehicleAssemblyBuilding - in my view from the #MaxBrewerBridge. #SES12 @SpaceX @ken_kremer
SES-12 Roars into Space onboard SpaceX Falcon 9 RocketWritten on 03 Jun 2018Powerful satellite serving Asia-Pacific and the Middle East will elevate viewing and connectivity experiences to meet diverse needs of video, fixed data, mobility and government customersLuxembourg, 4 June 2018 – SES announced today that SES-12 was successfully launched onboard a flight-proven SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida, United States, at 00:45 local time.SES-12, which is uniquely designed with state-of-the-art wide beams and high throughput beams, will join SES-8 at 95 degrees East to meet the diverse needs of video, fixed data, mobility and government customers across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. SES-12 is the latest satellite that SES has launched to that orbital position where it will operate under the authority of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It will replace and augment the services currently being provided on SES’ NSS-6 satellite. Together with SES-8, SES-12 will reach 18 million TV homes from its orbital position. The satellites will provide pay-TV operators the reliability and scalability to elevate viewing experiences by adding more content and delivering higher-quality picture quality to address the ever-increasing audience demand for High Definition (HD) and Ultra HD content.Like SES-14 and SES-15, which serve the Americas, the SES-12 high throughput payload is SES’ solution for enhancing connectivity in the aeronautical and maritime segments across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. SES-12 will also be pivotal in enabling governments to provide connectivity programmes to bridge the digital divide, and in allowing telcos, mobile network operators and internet service providers to deliver more reliable cellular backhaul and faster broadband services. Martin Halliwell, Chief Technology Officer at SES said, “More content. More immersive viewing experience. Blazing internet speeds. Reliable cell coverage. All of these dynamic customer requirements can now be met with the successful launch of SES-12, which will provide incremental high performance capacity and offer greater reliability and flexibility to our customers.”With six wide beams and 72 high throughput user spot beams, SES-12 is one of the largest geostationary satellites that SES has ever launched. The spacecraft also has a Digital Transparent Processor (DTP) that increases payload flexibility to provide much more customisable bandwidth solutions to SES's customers. The all-electric SES-12 spacecraft was built by Airbus Defence and Space, and will rely on electric propulsion for orbit raising and subsequent in-orbit manoeuvres. SES-12 will join SES’ network of seven geostationary satellites and 16 MEO satellites across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.More information and photos of SES-12: https://www.ses.com/newsroom/ses-12-elevating-experiences-todayFor further information please contact:Markus PayerCorporate Communications & PRTel. +352 710 725 500[email protected]
0 TBA - TO BE ASSIGNED1 43488U 18049A 18154.96373084 -.00000300 00000-0 00000+0 0 99912 43488 25.9437 162.9782 8150421 167.9495 242.6112 1.29134293 080 TBA - TO BE ASSIGNED1 43489U 18049B 18154.96899447 -.00000303 00000-0 00000+0 0 99912 43489 26.0255 162.7695 8149247 168.3195 245.9397 1.28158002 00
New SpaceTrack orbit elements:2018-049A - 210/58276km/25.94°2018-049B - 248/58599km/26.03°Quote0 TBA - TO BE ASSIGNED1 43488U 18049A 18154.96373084 -.00000300 00000-0 00000+0 0 99912 43488 25.9437 162.9782 8150421 167.9495 242.6112 1.29134293 080 TBA - TO BE ASSIGNED1 43489U 18049B 18154.96899447 -.00000303 00000-0 00000+0 0 99912 43489 26.0255 162.7695 8149247 168.3195 245.9397 1.28158002 00
2018-049A 1 43488U 18049A 18154.96835702 -.00003658 00000-0 -24303-2 0 99962 43488 25.9802 162.8952 8142798 168.1815 245.1244 1.28769444 042018-049B 1 43489U 18049B 18154.96899447 -.00000303 00000-0 00000+0 0 99912 43489 26.0255 162.7695 8149247 168.3195 245.9397 1.28158002 00
0 SES-121 43488U 18049A 18163.01311196 .00000008 00000-0 00000+0 0 99972 43488 24.6986 162.0537 8035424 170.1724 337.6442 1.25485409 104
All the scheduled 2018 launches were successfully completed during H1 2018, adding important future growth capabilities. Apart from SES-12 (which is expected to enter commercial service by the end of Q1 2019), these assets are already in commercial service and contributing to the business.
After years of hard work and planning (and an incredible launch in 2018) SES-12 is officially operational, serving both video and networks customers. Due to the dedication of our teams, we're proud to formally welcome our newest satellite 🛰 See it all 👉 bit.ly/2Soqtqh
