We are please to announce that Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32, built for @Intelsat, are performing as expected after being launched aboard a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from #CapeCanaveral, Florida, earlier this morning.
Maxar-built Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32 Satellites for Intelsat Performing Properly After LaunchNovember 12, 2022WESTMINSTER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Maxar Technologies (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR), provider of comprehensive space solutions and secure, precise, geospatial intelligence, today announced that Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32, built for Intelsat, are performing as expected after being launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.These two geostationary satellites will enable Intelsat, operator of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network and leading provider of inflight connectivity, to transfer its services—uninterrupted—as part of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plan to reallocate parts of the C-band spectrum for 5G terrestrial wireless services. Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32 are the first of five satellites that Intelsat contracted Maxar to build for the C-band transition. All five satellites will be built on Maxar’s proven 1300-class platform, which offers the flexibility and power needed for a broad range of customer missions.Shortly after launch earlier today, both satellites deployed their solar arrays and began receiving and sending signals. Next, Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32 will begin firing thrusters to commerce their journeys to final geostationary orbit.“Today’s launch of Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32 is another milestone in Maxar and Intelsat’s decades-long relationship,” said Chris Johnson, Maxar Senior Vice President and General Manager of Space. “Our team will begin initial on-orbit checkout and Intelsat will proceed with commissioning activities of these satellites so that Intelsat can start moving their services to the new spectrum.”“The Intelsat Galaxy fleet is the most reliable and efficient media content distribution system in North America, enabled by Maxar’s engineering and manufacturing expertise,” said David C. Wajsgras, Intelsat CEO. “This investment will deliver a high-performance technology path through the next decade.”Maxar also manufactured Intelsat’s Galaxy 35 and Galaxy 36, which are preparing for launch in mid-December 2022.
CelesTrak has GP data for 1 object from the launch (2022-153) of GALAXY 31 & 32 atop a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral on Nov 12 at 1606 UTC: spaceflightnow.com/2022/11/12/fal….
Two objects cataloged so far from today's Falcon 9 launch in supersync transfer orbit: 283 x 58433 km x 24.2 deg, 306 x 58459 km x 22.3 deg. Expecting three objects: G-31, G-32 and the F9 second stage.
A rare expendable SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Intelsat G-31 & G-32 to orbit
Quote from: Rondaz on 11/12/2022 11:56 pmA rare expendable SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Intelsat G-31 & G-32 to orbitOnly the 5th Falcon 9 Block 5 first stage to be intentionally expended. The Boosters B1054 and B1066 were expended on their first flight, B1047 on it's third, B1046 on it's fourth, and B1051 on it's 14th.B1054 - 23 December 2018 - GPS III SV01.B1047.3 - 6 August 2019 - AMOS-17 (Replacement for AMOS-6.B1046.4 - 19 January 2020 - Crew Dragon MaxQ test. Only Block 5 to have a suborbital mission.B1066 - 1 November 2022 - Core booster of USSF-44.B1051.14 - 12 November 2022 - Intelsat Galaxy 31 and 32.
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With this flight we can re-calibrate the loss of payload for recoverability. This flight staged at 9777 km/hr = 2715 m/s. The preceding G33/G34 flight (with recovery) staged at 8340 km/hr = 2316 m/s. Thus the first stage provided roughly 400 m/s more (roughly because the differing payload masses will have some small effect on first stage dV).Now making the usual second stage assumptions (fuel = 107t, empty mass + residual = 5.5t, ISP = 348), then how much can you increase the payload from the nominal 5.5t if the second stage needs to produce 400 m/s less? Turns out it's 7.03t. So any orbit the recoverable rocket can reach with a 5.5t payload, the expendable one can reach with a 7.03t payload.A 5.5t payload is 78% of a 7.03t payload, so the F9 Block 5 loses 22% of its GTO payload when recovering the first stage.
