SpaceX F9 : Galaxy 33/Galaxy 34 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 8 October 2022 (23:05 UTC)

[gongora]

Discussion Thread for launch of Galaxy 33/Galaxy 34, also knows as Galaxy 15R/Galaxy 12R

NSF Threads for Galaxy 33/Galaxy 34 : Discussion

Successful launch October 8, 2022 23:05 UTC (7:05 pm EDT), on Falcon 9 from CCSFS SLC-40 to GTO.  The first stage is 1060-14, and successfully landed on A Shortfall Of Gravitas.  The fairing halves were each making their sixth flight.

Deployment orbit of 300 x 19800 km, 26.8 deg.  Payload mass was slightly over 7.3 tons.


Galaxy 33 and 34


[Northrop Grumman, June 15, 2020] Northrop Grumman to Build Two C-band Satellites for Intelsat

DULLES, Va. – June 15, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been selected by Intelsat to build two C-band satellites that will operate in the upper portion of the C-band spectrum, a range of wireless radio frequencies that is used for critical telecommunications and data connectivity around the world.  This award supports the Federal Communication Commission’s order to make the lower portion of the C-band spectrum available to mobile network operators to further the rollout of critical 5G services.

These satellites, Galaxy 33 (G-33) and Galaxy 34 (G-34), will be based on Northrop Grumman’s flight proven GEOStar platform. Northrop Grumman has previously built 11 GEO communications satellites for Intelsat and more than 40 GEOStar spacecraft overall.

[Intelsat, June 15 2020] Intelsat Procures New Satellites for C-band Spectrum Transition

[Intelsat, Sep. 17, 2020] Intelsat Finalizes Satellite and Launch Vehicle Contracts for U.S. C-band Spectrum Transition

Intelsat has contracted with SpaceX and Arianespace to launch these satellites on four separate launch vehicles, beginning in 2022.

[CNBC, Sep. 17, 2020] SpaceX and European competitor Arianespace win $390 million worth of Intelsat launches

Under the terms of the contract, beginning in 2022 Intelsat will launch four of its satellites on two SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets and two more satellites on an Ariane 5 rocket. The final seventh satellite is contracted with both SpaceX and Arianespace, as a way for Intelsat to make sure it launches on time. Intelsat will award whichever company doesn’t launch the seventh satellite with a contract for a separate later launch, the company told CNBC.

twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1306658362743021578

Here is how these Intelsat contracts break down, with 7 satellites launching on 4 rockets:
– 2 on Falcon 9 (Q3 '22)
– 2 on Falcon 9 (Q3 '22)
– 2 on Ariane 5 (Q4 '22)
– 1 on either Ariane 6 or Falcon 9 (Q3 '23)

[zubenelgenubi]

Apparently, this launch remains Q3 2022; see the in-service date.

2023
March - Galaxy 37 - Ariane 64 - Kourou ELA-4

Galaxy-37 aka Galaxy-13R
This launch order is gone, goes to SpaceX.
https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1229094530086/December%202021%20Quarterly%20Report%20-%20Intelsat%2012-29-2021.pdf
[filing dated December 29, 2021]

[GWR64]

The in service date has been postponed, quarterly report from March 31st. (not paying attention  )

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

SN SpaceX launches SES-22 C-band replacement satellite [dated Jun. 29]

Galaxy 33 and Galaxy 34, Intelsat’s first two C-band replacement satellites, are due to launch on a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral in October.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

Q2 status report [June 30]

[gongora]

Intelsat made an FCC filing for ground station support, expected launch date October 8.

[crandles57]

Intelsat made an FCC filing for ground station support, expected launch date October 8.

No mention of Galaxy 33.

Per https://www.intelsat.com/newsroom/intelsat-finalizes-satellite-and-launch-vehicle-contracts-for-u-s-c-band-spectrum-transition/
"Sixseven satellites on four separate launches. "

Does this mean Arianespace is doing 2 per launch and SpaceX is only doing 1 per launch?

[gongora]

No, it probably just means the paperwork to support the other sat didn't appear on the FCC site at the same instant

[GWR64]

I haven't seen any FCC filing for the Galaxy 33 yet. Don't know the Call sign either.
The same with Galaxy 37. There are filings for Galaxy 31, 32, 34, 35, 36. (If I keep looking I'll find more and more...  )
I have no idea what system is behind it.
A Replacement Application (for Galaxy 12) was filed for Galaxy 34 last year.
SAT-RPL-20210325-00039

by the way: downloading the attachments it never works for me on the first try, so I'm supposed to log in somehow, on the second try it works

[gongora]

by the way: downloading the attachments it never works for me on the first try, so I'm supposed to log in somehow, on the second try it works

I have the same problem, seems to be a feature of that web site

[zubenelgenubi]

Given that Crew-5 is currently scheduled to launch from Kennedy LC-39A in early October, then one can deduce that Galaxy 33 and 34 will launch on October 8 from Canaveral SLC-40?

[gongora]

or the date will change.  They change from what's on the filings all the time.

[GWR64]

Even if there is no filing for the Galaxy 33 (Galaxy 15R) satellite, he will be needed soon.
Galaxy 15 "the zombie" has another crisis and doesn't do what it's supposed to. This satellite is bewitched.

SAT-STA-20220818-00087

August 18, 2022
...
Galaxy 15 is currently authorized to operate at the 133.0° W.L. orbital location.  On August 10, 2022, Galaxy 15 experienced an anomaly, which was likely triggered by space weather. Due to this anomaly, Intelsat lost the telemetry and commanding links. Intelsat was able to regain commanding of the satellite via an alternative path on August 14th; due to an issue of unknown origin, subsequent commands on August 15th were not conveyed to the satellite. Intelsat is diligently working to regain commanding of the satellite. If unsuccessful, the Galaxy 15 satellite is anticipated to drift outside of its authorized +/- 0.05° East/West station-keeping box late this evening.
...

[ChrisC]

Thanks GWR64!  FYI I've now made a separate thread to discuss the (latest) Galaxy 15 failure:

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=56995

[gongora]

Some filings for Galaxy 33 (adjusting frequencies and end of life details).  Interesting that they're now reserving hydrazine instead of xenon for moving to graveyard at end of life.  Launch is just given as Q4.  Replaces the troubled Galaxy 15 at 133W.

[zubenelgenubi]

Intelsat made an FCC filing for ground station support, expected launch date October 8.

SFN Launch Schedule, updated September 1:
Launch early October from SLC-40

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

These both look like GTO trajectories. Any idea on what the payload(s) will be?

1436-EX-ST-2022
Mission 1588 from LC-40 at CCAFS or LC-39A at KSC, and the experimental recovery operation following the Falcon 9 launch
NET late September
ASDS to the East:  North  28  13  44   West  74  1  5

1452-EX-ST-2022
Mission 1498 from LC-40 at CCAFS or LC-39A at KSC, and the experimental recovery operation following the Falcon 9 launch
NET early October
ASDS to the East:  North  28  24  49   West  73  48  19

Intelsat and Eutelsat are the obvious choices.  If not those two, O3B is also launching to the east in October-ish timeframe.

[GWR64]

Intelsat made an FCC filing for ground station support, expected launch date October 8.

And now for Galaxy 33, expected launch date still October 8.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

SFN now showing the launch on October 5 local time, 7:07-8:14 pm EDT = 23:07-00:14 UTC, October 5-6.

[zubenelgenubi: ASDS 1st stage recovery.]

[zubenelgenubi]

Cape Canaveral sunset time on October 5 EDT, from Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated September 14:

Sunset is 7:03 pm.