Tag: SES
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Europe Faces Skepticism Over Viability of IRIS² Satellite Constellation Amid Push for Space Autonomy
Despite growing enthusiasm in Europe for achieving autonomy in space infrastructure, significant doubts remain about the feasibility of IRIS², a major government-backed satellite communications constellation project aimed at providing secure connectivity across Europe. The Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) initiative, backed by a consortium known as SpaceRISE, aims to deploy a…
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Impulse Space Signs Deal With SES for Satellite Transfers to High Orbits
Satellite transport company Impulse Space has signed a multi-launch agreement with Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES to deliver satellites to medium and geostationary Earth orbits, beginning with a 2027 mission using Impulse’s Helios transfer vehicle. Under the agreement, Impulse will use its Helios kick stage to carry a four-ton SES satellite from low Earth orbit (LEO)…
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SpaceX launches first two SES O3b mPOWER satellites with upgrades to address power issues seen on earlier spacecraft
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Launch Complex 39A near sunset to begin the O3b mPOWER 7 & 8 mission on Dec. 17, 2024. This was SpaceX’s third Falcon 9 launch in less than 24 hours. Image: Adam Bernstein/Spaceflight Now Update 6:14 p.m. EST (2300 UTC): SpaceX landed the Falcon 9 first stage…
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SpaceX launches SES’s Astra 1P television satellite following two weather scrubs
Following two weather scrubs in as many days, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket on the SES Astra 1P mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Image: Adam Bernstein / Spaceflight Now Update 6:53 p.m. EDT: SpaceX deployed the Astra 1P satellite. The third time turned out to be the charm for SpaceX as it…
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News from the Press Site: Boeing approaches first astronaut mission with Starliner
In this week’s edition of News from the Press Site, Spaceflight Now’s Will Robinson-Smith is joined by Rachel Jewett, Senior Managing Editor for Via Satellite, and Joey Roulette, U.S. Business of Space Correspondent for Reuters. The panel discusses the pending launch of Boeing’s first crewed Starliner mission to the International Space Station, NASA’s Office of…
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Two giants in the satellite telecom industry join forces to counter Starlink
Facing competition from Starlink and other emerging satellite broadband networks, the two companies that own most of the traditional commercial communications spacecraft in geostationary orbit announced plans to join forces Tuesday. SES, based in Luxembourg, will buy Intelsat for $3.1 billion. The acquisition will create a combined company boasting a fleet of some 100 multi-ton satellites…
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AST SpaceMobile Expands Satellite Coverage through Altered SpaceX Launch Plan
Texas-based satellite operator AST SpaceMobile has opted for a modified launch plan with SpaceX, investing an additional $5 million to deploy its first commercial direct-to-smartphone satellites early next year. The change involves adjusting the orbital inclination to 53 degrees, exceeding the initial plan. This alteration aims to enhance coverage, reaching up to 59 degrees latitude…
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SpaceX Launches Third Pair of O3b mPower Satellites for SES Despite Electrical Issues
SpaceX successfully launched a third pair of O3b mPower satellites for Luxembourg-based operator SES on November 12. The Falcon 9 rocket carrying SES’s satellites lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, at 4:08 p.m. Eastern, heading towards medium Earth orbit (MEO). The Boeing-built satellites separated from the rocket about two hours later. SES…
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SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 3rd pair of O3b mPOWER satellites from Cape Canaveral
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches with a pair of SES’ O3b mPOWER satellites heading up to medium Earth orbit. Image: Michael Cain Update 4:43 p.m. EST (2143 UTC): SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket to begin the mission. The satellites will start being deployed around 6:08 p.m. EST (2308 UTC). Original story: On its…
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Satellite operators poised for $9 billion payday after clearing C-band spectrum
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched early Thursday with the last of a dozen new C-band video relay satellites purchased by Intelsat and SES to help clear spectrum for the rollout of 5G wireless services in the United States. Intelsat and SES, two of the world’s largest geostationary communications satellites operators, are on track to…