IntelSat and SES Announce GEO Orders for C-Band replacement satellites

[Ronsmytheiii]

First for Intelsat:

Intelsat, operator of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network, today announced that it has contracted for new satellites with U.S. manufacturers, a necessary step to meet the accelerated C-band spectrum clearing timelines established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this year.

Intelsat has entered into two new agreements; one with Maxar Technologies to build and deliver four satellites, and another with Northrop Grumman to build and deliver two satellites. Intelsat is currently in negotiations with manufacturers for a seventh satellite required to support its C-band transition.

http://www.intelsat.com/news/press-release/intelsat-procures-new-satellites-for-c-band-spectrum-transition/

[Ronsmytheiii]

And SES:

Luxembourg, 16 June 2020 – SES, the leader in global content connectivity solutions, announces it has selected two U.S. satellite manufacturers, Northrop Grumman and the Boeing Company, to deliver four new satellites as part of the company’s accelerated C-band clearing plan to meet the Federal Communications Commission’s objectives to roll-out 5G services.

Northrop 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.

https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-selects-two-us-companies-build-four-new-satellites-part-accelerated-c-band

[Ronsmytheiii]

I am going to guess that since the satellites are US, they would be ITAR restricted, so possible rocket rides include:

1) SpaceX (Falcon 9/Heavy and maybe Starship)
2) Arianespace (Ariane 6)
3) Mitsubishi (H-3)
4) ULA (Atlas V/Vulcan)
5) Northrop Grumman (OmegA)
6) Blue Origin (New Glenn)

It will be interesting to see who wins flights, I know the satellite operators want around 3 Providers, so there should be multiple winners but definitely some losers as well.

[Bean Kenobi]

Names of satellites ordered are :
- Galaxy 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36
- SES 18, 19, 20 and 21

[brickmack]

I am going to guess that since the satellites are US, they would be ITAR restricted

American commercial spacecraft routinely fly on international rockets. It wasn't long ago that the US had 0% of the global commercial launch market

[arachnitect]

was there a requirement or incentive for these satellites to be ordered from american manufacturers?

[gongora]

was there a requirement or incentive for these satellites to be ordered from american manufacturers?

I don't think it was a legal requirement, but they are getting reimbursed for the new satellites (up to a reasonable amount) by the FCC (or the companies winning the rights to use that spectrum).

I am going to guess that since the satellites are US, they would be ITAR restricted, so possible rocket rides include:

American satellites can be launched on Russian rockets, I think the only exclusion is Chinese rockets.

[russianhalo117]

was there a requirement or incentive for these satellites to be ordered from american manufacturers?

I don't think it was a legal requirement, but they are getting reimbursed for the new satellites (up to a reasonable amount) by the FCC (or the companies winning the rights to use that spectrum).

I am going to guess that since the satellites are US, they would be ITAR restricted, so possible rocket rides include:

American satellites can be launched on Russian rockets, I think the only exclusion is Chinese rockets.

Both with insurance filing claim with FCC (primary) while also listing applicable US 5G companies (secondary) for amount of remaining sat lifespan, spectrum rights/allocation lost and more.

Restrictions apply only to Russian launchers for sats selected to fly certain types of US government/joint allied Hosted Payloads.

[Asteroza]

I think the only exclusion is Chinese rockets.

If you can deal with the ITAR nastiness, you could fly on chinese rockets with american manufactured satellites. I think it would be a much tougher sell to purchase chinese manufactured satellites AND fly on chinese rockets with FCC money however...

[gongora]

I think the only exclusion is Chinese rockets.

If you can deal with the ITAR nastiness, you could fly on chinese rockets with american manufactured satellites. I think it would be a much tougher sell to purchase chinese manufactured satellites AND fly on chinese rockets with FCC money however...

Satellites with American content currently don't launch on Chinese rockets.  Period.

[Ronsmytheiii]

American satellites can be launched on Russian rockets, I think the only exclusion is Chinese rockets.

Not under the current Russian sanctions regime. Also, India is restricted from launching ITAR satellites, though the industry has been trying to change this for years.

[rockets4life97]

Here is my prediction: 6 launched by SpaceX, 2 by Arianespace, and 2 by Blue Origin.

[arachnitect]

Here is my prediction: 6 launched by SpaceX, 2 by Arianespace, and 2 by Blue Origin.

I don't know about Blue Origin. The operators are being offered huge incentives to clear spectrum (by replacing existing equipment) as quickly as possible.


https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/06/16/intelsat-ses-purchase-10-c-band-communications-satellites-from-u-s-manufacturers/

Intelsat and SES — along with operators with a smaller share of the U.S. C-band market — will also be reimbursed for their C-band relocation costs, including satellite manufacturing and launch expenses.

As part of the agreement, the satellite operators were incentivized to buy new C-band broadcasting satellites from U.S. manufacturers to operate in the 4.0 to 4.2 gigahertz swath of the C-band spectrum. The lower portion of the band previously allocated to satellite operators — 3.7 to 4.0 megahertz — is being transitioned to 5G services.

European manufacturers probably never had a shot at these orders.

[gongora]

Anyone booking Blue Origin for these would also have a backup contract in case there are delays.  The penalties for launching late are far greater than the cost of launch.  I really wouldn't be surprised if ULA picks up a launch.  SpaceX could probably make a few bucks by serving as backup to everyone else in addition to the contracts they win outright.

[Nomadd]

American satellites can be launched on Russian rockets, I think the only exclusion is Chinese rockets.

Not under the current Russian sanctions regime. Also, India is restricted from launching ITAR satellites, though the industry has been trying to change this for years.

Are Ariane launched Soyuz considered Russian rockets for that purpose?

[lrk]

American satellites can be launched on Russian rockets, I think the only exclusion is Chinese rockets.

Not under the current Russian sanctions regime. Also, India is restricted from launching ITAR satellites, though the industry has been trying to change this for years.

Are Ariane launched Soyuz considered Russian rockets for that purpose?

Soyuz only has a payload of around 3.2 metric tons to GTO, so I doubt it is being considered for these missions.

[gongora]

American satellites can be launched on Russian rockets, I think the only exclusion is Chinese rockets.

Not under the current Russian sanctions regime. Also, India is restricted from launching ITAR satellites, though the industry has been trying to change this for years.

Are Ariane launched Soyuz considered Russian rockets for that purpose?

Soyuz only has a payload of around 3.2 metric tons to GTO, so I doubt it is being considered for these missions.

Some of the sats will be light enough to launch on Soyuz.

[GWH]

Anyone booking Blue Origin for these would also have a backup contract in case there are delays.  The penalties for launching late are far greater than the cost of launch.  I really wouldn't be surprised if ULA picks up a launch.  SpaceX could probably make a few bucks by serving as backup to everyone else in addition to the contracts they win outright.

ULA seems to be pushing pretty hard for dual payload launches, the economics of that should be pretty good. This latest crop of satellites should tell us a lot about which of these new rockets will be the most cost competitive.

ULA and Blue Origin's rockets both have a 1.5 tonne lift advantage over Ariane 6 to GTO, which could make the difference between being able to fly dual manifest payloads of any 2 larger sats vs the 1 big/1 medium limitation of Ariane 6.

Or we see sat operators choose launch assurance with diverse providers over cost, and no preferential buying.

[Tywin]

Now is time for Eutelsat, for making her ordered for new satellites...we will see what manufacturers company they choose...

[Phillipsturtles]

Luxembourg-based SES plans to order six satellites in total, with the remaining two satellite orders expected in the coming days or weeks.

https://spacenews.com/boeing-northrop-grumman-win-ses-c-band-satellite-orders/

SES still has 2 more orders to announce

Intelsat said it is negotiating with manufacturers for a seventh satellite that, once described as a possible need, is now “required” for its C-band transition.

https://spacenews.com/intelsat-orders-four-satellites-from-maxar-two-from-northrop-grumman-for-c-band-clearing/

Intelsat is in negotiations for a seventh satellite as well. That will be 8 satellites ordered from Intelsat so far this year!

[TrevorMonty]

Anyone booking Blue Origin for these would also have a backup contract in case there are delays.  The penalties for launching late are far greater than the cost of launch.  I really wouldn't be surprised if ULA picks up a launch.  SpaceX could probably make a few bucks by serving as backup to everyone else in addition to the contracts they win outright.

ULA seems to be pushing pretty hard for dual payload launches, the economics of that should be pretty good. This latest crop of satellites should tell us a lot about which of these new rockets will be the most cost competitive.

ULA and Blue Origin's rockets both have a 1.5 tonne lift advantage over Ariane 6 to GTO, which could make the difference between being able to fly dual manifest payloads of any 2 larger sats vs the 1 big/1 medium limitation of Ariane 6.

Or we see sat operators choose launch assurance with diverse providers over cost, and no preferential buying.

NGIS Omega is another option, meant to fly in 2021. Wouldn't be surprised if they are offering build & launch contracts.

[TrevorMonty]

There is big money at stake with these new  satellites. The other big plus is they get paid to modernise their fleet.


From SpaceNews article.
"
If Intelsat can clear its customers from the 300-megahertz swath by Dec. 5, 2023, it will receive $4.87 billion in accelerated clearing payments through the FCC, which said it will require spectrum bidders to make those payments for advanced access to the spectrum. That’s two years faster than the FCC’s mandatory deadline for satellite operators to leave the spectrum. 
"

[Phillipsturtles]

https://spacenews.com/eutelsat-to-order-single-replacement-c-band-satellite-for-fcc-spectrum-clearing/

Paris-based Eutelsat told the FCC that it will have to replace one geostationary satellite it previously did not plan to replace as a result of the FCC decision to clear spectrum for U.S. 5G networks.

Eutelsat said it has four satellites serving U.S. customers in C-band, of which Eutelsat-113 West A, requires an “unplanned renewal” because of the C-band auction.

Telesat told the FCC it will not need any replacement satellites, just signal filters so that customers using its Anik-F1R and Anik-F3 satellites can continue service without interference from future 5G cellular signals.

So Eutelsat will only order one replacement satellite and Telesat isn't ordering any replacement sats.

[GWR64]

https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/press_release/thales-alenia-space-will-build-ses-22-and-ses-23-satellites

Thales Alenia Space will build SES-22 and SES-23 satellites
08/07/2020

Cannes, 7 August, 2020 – Thales Alenia Space, a joint-venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), announced that it has signed a contract with SES to build SES-22 and SES-23, geostationary communications satellites. These two new satellites are designed to provide digital broadcasting services over North America.


Thales Alenia Space will be responsible for the design, production, testing of the satellites and support of the payload in-orbit acceptance tests. SES-22 and SES-23 are based on the proven Spacebus 4000 B2 platform and will be 3.5-ton class satellites at launch.

These satellites are the 11th and 12th satellites based on the Spacebus 4000 B2 platform to be built by Thales Alenia Space. The two satellites will help SES meet the Federal Communications Commission’s accelerated C-band clearing deadlines in the United States and will contribute to the effort to clear spectrum necessary to roll out 5G in the United States.

Hervé Derrey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Thales Alenia Space, said “The robustness and flight proven heritage of our Spacebus 4000 B2 platform, combined with our ability to timely and quickly deliver SES-22 and SES-23, have been key elements leading to the decision of SES working with us to replace its existing C-Band fleet. This demonstrates Thales Alenia Space’s expertise in developing tailored solutions that meet each operator’s specific needs to clear the C-Band spectrum.”

[russianhalo117]

https://spacenews.com/eutelsat-to-order-single-replacement-c-band-satellite-for-fcc-spectrum-clearing/

Paris-based Eutelsat told the FCC that it will have to replace one geostationary satellite it previously did not plan to replace as a result of the FCC decision to clear spectrum for U.S. 5G networks.

Eutelsat said it has four satellites serving U.S. customers in C-band, of which Eutelsat-113 West A, requires an “unplanned renewal” because of the C-band auction.

Telesat told the FCC it will not need any replacement satellites, just signal filters so that customers using its Anik-F1R and Anik-F3 satellites can continue service without interference from future 5G cellular signals.

So Eutelsat will only order one replacement satellite and Telesat isn't ordering any replacement sats.

The way I read it Eutelsat has to replace all 4 of which only the one is an out of schedule replacement.

[GWR64]

https://spacenews.com/eutelsat-scraps-plan-for-replacement-c-band-satellite/

Eutelsat scraps plan for replacement C-band satellite
by Caleb Henry — August 17, 2020

Eutelsat revised its plan from two months ago so that it avoids needing a C-band replacement satellite, relying instead on three already in orbit.

WASHINGTON — Eutelsat Communications says it no longer intends to buy a reimbursable C-band replacement satellite for the U.S. market, having concluded it can make do with less spectrum by rationalizing capacity on its current geostationary fleet.

Paris-based Eutelsat told the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in June that the agency’s decision to auction 300 megahertz of C-band spectrum would limit Eutelsat’s bandwidth supply to the point of needing an additional satellite. However, in a revised “transition plan” filed Aug. 17, Eutelsat said it has enough bandwidth to redistribute affected customers across other satellites.

“Eutelsat now expects that prudent management of capacity and demand for C-band satellite services during and after the transition will allow it to provide ‘substantially the same or better service to incumbent earth station operators’ without launching any new C-band satellites,” Eutelsat wrote.

The company will move C-band customers, mainly broadcasters, into unused capacity on three satellites — Eutelsat 117 West A, Eutelsat 115 West B and Eutelsat-172B — and will retire Eutelsat 113 West A in 2023 without a replacement. The process shouldn’t require new signal compression equipment, Eutelsat said. 
...