SpaceX - Falcon 9 / SES-18/SES-19 Mission patch.
March 18, 2023
Falcon 9 carrying SES-18/SES-19 liftoff
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the SES-18 and SES-19 communications satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, on 17 March 2023, at 23:38 UTC (19:38 EDT).
Falcon 9 launches SES-18/SES-19 and Falcon 9 first stage landing
Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. Falcon 9’s first stage (B1069) previously supported five missions: CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 15 and two Starlink mission.
SES-18 and SES-19 deployment
About SES-18 and SES-19 communications satellites
The two American-made satellites are the fourth and fifth – and final – satellites to be launched as part of SES’s C-band transition plan, following the launch of SES-22 in June 2022 and the tandem launch of SES-20 and SES-21 in October 2022. These satellites are essential parts of SES’s plan to achieve the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) program to clear C-band spectrum to enable wireless operators to deploy 5G services across the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) while ensuring that SES’s existing customers continue to enjoy uninterrupted TV, radio, and critical data transmission services to millions of Americans.
The two American-made satellites are the fourth and fifth – and final – satellites to be launched as part of SES’s C-band transition plan, following the launch of SES-22 in June 2022 and the tandem launch of SES-20 and SES-21 in October 2022. These satellites are essential parts of SES’s plan to achieve the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) program to clear C-band spectrum to enable wireless operators to deploy 5G services across the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) while ensuring that SES’s existing customers continue to enjoy uninterrupted TV, radio, and critical data transmission services to millions of Americans.
Artist rendering of an SES C-band satellite
Since 2020, SES, along with other satellite operators, has been clearing 300 MHz of C-band spectrum and transitioning customer services to the remaining allocated 200 MHz of spectrum by launching new satellites, building new ground stations and sending hundreds of satellite earth station technicians across the country to install new filters on customers’ antennas.
By providing contractual service protections to customers who receive video services in the U.S., SES-18 and SES-19 will enable SES to safely clear C-band spectrum to help accomplish the FCC’s ambitious goals for American 5G innovation. SES-18 is expected to begin operations in June 2023 at 103 degrees West replacing SES-3 C-band payload and SES-19 will be co-located with SES-22 at 135 degrees West.
Related links:
SES: https://www.ses.com/
SpaceX: https://www.spacex.com/
Images, Videos, Text, Credits: SpaceX/SES/Northrop Grumman/SciNews/Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.
By providing contractual service protections to customers who receive video services in the U.S., SES-18 and SES-19 will enable SES to safely clear C-band spectrum to help accomplish the FCC’s ambitious goals for American 5G innovation. SES-18 is expected to begin operations in June 2023 at 103 degrees West replacing SES-3 C-band payload and SES-19 will be co-located with SES-22 at 135 degrees West.
Related links:
SES: https://www.ses.com/
SpaceX: https://www.spacex.com/
Images, Videos, Text, Credits: SpaceX/SES/Northrop Grumman/SciNews/Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch