ARIANESPACE - Soyuz Flight VS22 Mission poster.
April 4, 2019
Soyuz ST-B launches first phase of SES’ O3b constellation
Arianespace VS22 mission: a Soyuz ST-B launch vehicle launched four more O3b satellites, the first six OneWeb satellites, from the Soyuz Launch Complex (ELS) in Sinnamary, French Guiana, on 4 April 2019, at 17:03 UTC (14:03 local time). The four O3b satellites (2,800 kg, approx. 700 kg. for each satellite) are the 58th, 59th, 60th and 61th satellites to be launched by Arianespace for the global satellite operator SES.
With a successful Soyuz launch that completed the first phase of SES’ O3b constellation, Arianespace today reaffirmed is ability to support the growing global market for such in-orbit satellite systems.
Soyuz ST-B launches four O3b satellites
Lifting off mid-day from the Spaceport in French Guiana, the workhorse launch vehicle delivered the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th O3b satellites into a circular orbit during a flight lasting 2 hours and 22 minutes until final separation. Total payload lift performance was estimated at 3,198 kg.
After an initial powered phase of Soyuz’ three lower stages, the flight – designated VS22 in Arianespace’s numbering system – included three burns of the Fregat upper stage to place its passengers at their targeted deployment point.
A success for global connectivity
“Today’s launch follows the O3b constellation deployments in 2013, 2014 and 2018, enabling commercial service since September 2014,” said Luce Fabreguettes, Arianespace’s Executive Vice President – Missions, Operations & Purchasing. “We are even prouder that this 5th launch marks the completion of the constellation. Mission accomplished!”
O3b satellites
The O3b fleet of medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellites – part of SES’s bold vision of connecting people and empowering them with opportunities – is a proven non-geostationary constellation that provides commercial broadband services today, delivering carrier-grade services. Operating at an altitude of approximately 8,000 km., it serves customers in nearly 50 countries.
By increasing the O3b constellation’s size from 16 to 20 satellites, the SES Networks business unit of SES will offer enhanced coverage while providing greater service availability and reliability – responding to increasing demand for bandwidth from governments, as well as the telecom, cloud, maritime and energy markets.
For more information about Arianespace, visit: http://www.arianespace.com/
Images, Video, Text, Credits: Arianespace/SES/SciNews.
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