Update 6:14 p.m. EST (2300 UTC): With precision and poise, SpaceX successfully returned the Falcon 9 first stage booster to its droneship perch.
On a remarkable evening, SpaceX triumphantly executed its third Falcon 9 launch in less than a day, an exhilarating feat orchestrated for one of its long-standing allies: the Luxembourg-based communications titan, SES.
The O3b mPOWER 7 and 8 satellites soared skyward from the revered Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, just as the sun dipped below the horizon at 5:26 p.m. EST (2226 UTC)—the culmination of a nearly 1.5-hour-long launch window. This launch registered as the 90th orbital ascent from the historic Florida spaceport, a site that encompasses both Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
As the countdown approached, forecasters from the 45th Weather Squadron presented a tempered forecast, estimating a mere 55% likelihood of favorable conditions for launch, citing apprehensions surrounding dense cumulus cloud formations and the potential violation of surface electric field regulations.
In their report, the meteorological team cautioned, “A strong high-pressure system from New England is predicted to move into the Central Atlantic, creating a barrier against the incoming easterly wave as it advances westward.” They elaborated that this disturbance would usher in greater moisture and instability, potentially unleashing onshore showers and sporadic lightning.
The Falcon 9 first stage, designated B1090, marked its inaugural mission in a grand display, executing a flawless landing on the droneship ‘Just Read the Instructions’ approximately 8.5 minutes post-launch.
Overcoming Power Hurdles
In a partnership that sprouted in 2017 with Boeing, SES set in motion the ambitious O3b mPOWER satellite project, commissioning the creation of seven medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites. The momentum surged in 2020 as SES secured clients such as Carnival Corporation, enhancing internet connectivity on its cruise vessels, and Orange, which extends its services throughout Africa.
The inaugural duo of O3b mPOWER satellites took to the skies in 2022, paving the way for two additional pairs within the subsequent year, with SES initiating satellite services by spring 2024.
“The readiness of O3b mPOWER to cater to customers worldwide fills us with enthusiasm! Our dedicated SES team, alongside technical collaborators across both space and ground infrastructures, has fervently worked to activate this system,” proclaimed Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES, in an April 2024 address. “Proudly, I can affirm that our core infrastructure is fully established, meticulously tested, and operational globally.”
Nevertheless, the maiden satellites confronted unforeseen electrical complications. As the launch of the third satellite batch approached in November, SES alerted shareholders to sporadic power module failures in the initial satellites, leading to a few irreversible events.
“Through extensive investigations, where Boeing and SES pinpointed the root causes, measures will be enacted for the affected satellites,” SES reported in a year-to-date financial summary. “We will enhance operational protocols and optimize constellation capabilities to ensure the high-performance services our customers expect.”
The electrical issues indicated an operational lifespan for the affected satellites that would be notably curtailed. Consequently, a strategy was devised to replace defective power modules on the remaining satellites planned (7-11) and incorporate two extra units into the fleet.
SES envisions deploying a total of 13 O3b mPOWER satellites, with satellites 9-11 earmarked for launch in 2025 and the final duo slated for a 2026 mission.
“We anticipate approximately $150 million in U.S. C-band clearing cost reimbursements moving forward, while ongoing discussions with insurers are underway regarding a $472 million claim associated with the issues in O3b mPOWER satellites 1-4,” SES noted in its financial communiqué for YTD and Q3 2024.
As of April 2024, SES conveyed that its second-generation MEO constellation was actively serving over 15 million end users. The orbiting satellites, positioned about 8,000 km (4,971 mi) above the Earth, operate at a 70-degree inclination.
