The first two Boeing [NYSE:BA]-built O3b mPOWER satellites are sending and receiving signals as they continue their journey into MEO following their successful, dual-configuration launch.
Developed for service provider SES, the satellites lifted off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on December 16th at 5:48 PM ET.
O3b mPOWER is SES’s second-generation MEO system designed to transform industries with terabit-level scale, roundtrip latency of less than 150 milliseconds, and unmatched service availability.
The O3b mPOWER ecosystem comprises an initial 11 satellites each equipped with more than 5,000 digitally formed beams. Coupled with an extensive ground infrastructure, the software-driven system enables SES to address current and future connectivity needs for governments, mobile network operators, energy companies, cruise lines and enterprises across the globe.
Boeing will oversee the satellites’ orbit raising and in-orbit testing before handover to SES in approximately five months.
The O3b mPOWER satellite constellation will kick off commercial service in the third quarter of 2023.
“This launch marks the next milestone of our MEO journey. With O3b mPOWER, we are bringing game-changing technology to deliver a unique combination of high-throughput, guaranteed reliability and service flexibility that is the first in the industry,” said Steve Collar, chief executive officer, SES. “O3b mPOWER is the satellite system of choice for applications where performance matters most.”
“From concept to reality, the partnership with SES while developing the first-of-its-kind technology has been remarkable,” said Jim Chilton, senior vice president of Boeing Space and Launch. “The next few months will be another critical collaboration period as we prepare the next nine satellites for launch and enable these first satellites to fulfill their mission to connect people around the world.”
Original launch posting…
The first two, SES O3b mPOWER satellites were successfully launched into space by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States, at 5:48 p.m., local time, on December 16th.
Built by Boeing on their 702x satellite platform, O3b mPOWER is SES’s second-generation medium earth orbit (MEO) system. Customers leveraging O3b mPOWER are set to transform their operations and benefit from terabit-level scale; the highest, most flexible, guaranteed throughput; roundtrip latency of less than 150 milliseconds and unmatched service availability.
The O3b mPOWER ecosystem is easily scalable and comprises an initial 11 powerful satellites, each equipped with more than 5,000 digitally formed beams, and an extensive next-generation O3b mPOWER ground infrastructure. It enables SES to address current and future connectivity needs for governments, mobile network operators, energy companies, world-class cruises, and enterprises across the globe. Key customers who have signed up for O3b mPOWER include Microsoft, Princess Cruises, Marlink, Jio Platforms, Orange, Claro Brasil and the newly-announced Vodafone Cook Islands.
“Much more than just another launch, today marks the next milestone of our MEO journey. Since starting this journey, we have gone on to positively impact millions around the world. Today, with our second-generation O3b mPOWER, we are bringing game-changing technology that delivers a unique combination of multiple gigabits per second of throughput at any location, guaranteed reliability and service flexibility that is a first in the industry,” said Steve Collar, CEO of SES. “Whether we are enabling governments to carry out critical missions securely, cruise operators to provide high-speed broadband access to passengers at all times, or mobile network operators to deploy 4G/5G networks in underconnected areas or restore communications networks in down time, O3b mPOWER is the satellite system of choice for applications where performance matters most.”
“From concept to reality, the partnership with SES while developing the first-of-its-kind technology has been remarkable,” said Jim Chilton, Senior Vice President of Boeing Space and Launch. “The next few months will be another critical collaboration period as we prepare the next nine satellites for launch and enable these first satellites to fulfill their mission to connect people around the world.”
O3b mPOWER commercial service is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2023.
Original, pre-launch posting…
SES’s first two O3b mPOWER satellites were delivered to Cape Canaveral last weekend and are scheduled for launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket mid-December. The O3b mPOWER satellites are part of SES’s second-generation Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) system operating at approximately 8,000 km away from the Earth’s surface, and will deliver high-performance connectivity services to enterprises and governments around the world.
The O3b mPOWER ecosystem comprises an extensive ground infrastructure of eight ground stations strategically located around the world, dozens of software service providers, platform and customer terminal partners, as well as an initial constellation of 11 Boeing-built satellites.
With a scheduled start-of-service date in Q3 2023 with only six satellites, O3b mPOWER will offer the highest, most flexible throughput, roundtrip latency of less than 150 milliseconds and uncontended service options, backed by guaranteed service-level agreements.