SES-16 Mission and Launch Highlights

SES-16 was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on January 3, 2017.

The SES-16 spacecraft is a geostationary communications satellite designed to provide television broadcasting and telecommunications services.

It was built by Airbus Defence and Space and has a mass of approximately 5,900 kilograms.

SES-16 is positioned at a longitude of 47.5° West, where it will operate in a geostationary orbit.

The satellite features a payload of 32 transponders, which will be used to transmit television channels and other communications signals.

SES-16 has a designed lifespan of 15 years, after which it will be decommissioned and its orbit will be adjusted to prevent any potential space debris.

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The SES-16 satellite was launched on January 31, 2018, at 21:25 UTC.

It was launched on a Falcon-9 Full Thrust vehicle from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station SLC-40.

The booster used for the launch was B1032, which was recovered from the NROL-76 mission in May 2017.

The first stage of the rocket was intended to be expended, but it unexpectedly remained intact and was destroyed.

The satellite is now in geostationary orbit over the equator at an altitude of 35,786 km and a longitude of 21.5ºE.

The satellite has substantial maritime coverage over the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas, as well as over the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The launch and satellite project were financed with a total of 225 million euros, a 50-50 shareholder arrangement between SES and the Luxembourg government, and a loan from a consortium of Luxembourg banks.

SES-16, also known as GovSat 1, is a communications satellite positioned at 21.5° East.

It was launched on January 31, 2018, aboard a Falcon-9 v1.2 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40.

The satellite was built on Orbital's GEOStar-3 bus and features dedicated military frequencies (X-band and military Ka-band) for high-powered and fully steerable spot beams.

SES-16 has a mass of 4230 kg and is fueled for more than 16 years, with a planned lifetime of 15 years.

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The satellite covers Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and the Luxembourg government has pre-committed to a significant amount of capacity on the new satellite in support of its NATO obligations.

SES-16/GovSat 1 has a special port that allows a hosted payload to dock with it in orbit, weighing 200 kg and producing 500 watts of power.

The GeoStar-3 bus is a reliable platform for satellite payloads, introduced in March 2014.

It's made from durable materials like composite or aluminium alloy, which provide excellent structural integrity.

The GeoStar-3 bus can accommodate payloads up to 800kg in weight.

This is a significant capacity, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

It also comes with 8kW of power, which is essential for supporting the payload's operations.

This level of power ensures that the payload can function smoothly and efficiently.

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GovSat 1 is a communications satellite built on Orbital's GEOStar-3 bus. It's positioned at 21.5° East and scheduled for launch in Q2 2017.

The satellite is a joint venture between SES and the Luxembourg government, with LuxGovSat as the operator. It features dedicated military frequencies (X-band and military Ka-band) for government-specific missions.

GovSat 1 has a special port for a hosted payload to dock with it in orbit. The payload is 200 kg, 500-watt, and will travel to SES-16 and attach itself.

The satellite covers Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with the Luxembourg government pre-committed to a significant amount of capacity. The remaining capacity will be made available to governmental and institutional customers.

Here's a quick rundown of GovSat 1's key specs:

GovSat 1 was launched on a Falcon-9 v1.2 on January 31, 2018.

The SES-16 mission is a joint venture between SES and the Luxembourg government, aiming to provide high-powered and fully steerable spot beams for multiple government-specific missions.

The satellite is positioned at 21.5° East and covers Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, making it a valuable asset for NATO obligations and other governmental and institutional customers.

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SES-16 features a special port that allows a hosted payload to dock with it in orbit, a unique capability that enables the satellite to support a range of missions.

The satellite has a mass of 4230 kg and is fueled for more than 16 years, ensuring a long lifespan of 15 years.

Here's a brief overview of the satellite's key features:

The satellite was launched on January 31, 2018, using a Falcon-9 v1.2 launch vehicle, marking the beginning of its mission to support government-specific missions and other institutional customers.

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