What You Need to Know About the SES-4 Satellite

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Credit: pexels.com, Free stock photo of aerospace, aerospace technology, astro satellite

The SES-4 satellite is a remarkable piece of technology, launched in 2011 to provide a wide range of services to the global market. It has 52 transponders, offering a significant amount of capacity.

The SES-4 satellite is designed to operate in the geostationary orbit, which allows it to maintain a fixed position over a specific location on Earth. This is crucial for providing reliable and consistent services.

SES-4 is equipped with a sophisticated payload that enables it to transmit signals in various frequency bands, including C-band and Ku-band. This versatility makes it an attractive option for a wide range of applications.

The satellite's advanced design and technology ensure that it can operate efficiently and effectively, providing high-quality services to its customers.

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Launch Details

SES-4 was launched on 14 February 2012 at 19:36:37 UTC on a Proton-M / Briz-M launch vehicle.

The launch was arranged by International Launch Services (ILS), and it took place from Baikonour, Site 200/39.

Credit: youtube.com, SES-4 launch with ILS Proton

SES-4 is positioned at 22° West orbital location over the Atlantic Ocean, replacing the NSS-7 satellite.

The satellite deployed its solar arrays after launch and will fire its main thruster to begin maneuvering into geosynchronous orbit.

SES-4 is a C- and Ku-band satellite designed to provide Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) to the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

The satellite has approximately 20-kW end-of-life power and is based on the SS/L 1300 platform, which has the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances.

SES-4 has more transponders than any other satellite in the SES fleet, with 52 C-band and 72 Ku-band transponders.

Worth a look: Eutelsat 115 West B

Satellite Information

SES-4 is a C- and Ku-band satellite designed to provide Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) to the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

It has a powerful end-of-life power of approximately 20-kW, making it a significant addition to the SES fleet.

SES-4 is based on the decades-proven SS/L 1300 platform, which has the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances.

Explore further: SES World Skies

Credit: youtube.com, Launch of SES-4 satellite

The satellite has more transponders than any other satellite in the SES fleet, with 52 C-band and 72 Ku-band transponders.

This is a major upgrade for the SES fleet, providing new, state-of-the-art satellite capacity across three continents.

SES-4 is set to replace NSS-7 at 338 degrees East longitude after completing in-orbit testing.

It's worth noting that SES-4 is SS/L's seventh 20-kilowatt satellite to be placed into orbit.

There are now three SS/L-built satellites in the SES fleet, providing much needed communications and entertainment services across numerous regions.

Related reading: 4-metre Band

Technical Specifications

SES-4 has a mass of 6,000 kilograms. It's a significant size, but still relatively lightweight compared to other satellites.

SES-4 is equipped with 72 transponders, allowing for a wide range of communication services. These transponders are crucial for broadcasting and telecommunications.

The satellite has a payload of 11.4 meters by 2.1 meters, making it a compact but efficient package.

Spacecraft

The SES-4 spacecraft was built by Space Systems/Loral (SSL) and is based on the SSL-1300 satellite bus. This design choice likely contributed to its impressive mass of 6,180 kg (13,620 lb) at launch.

Satellite
Credit: pexels.com, Satellite

It's equipped with 52 C-band and 72 Ku-band transponders, which suggests a robust communication system. This level of equipment is impressive, and I can imagine it being useful for a variety of applications.

Here are some key specifications of the SES-4 spacecraft:

  • Mass: 6,180 kg (13,620 lb)
  • Number of C-band transponders: 52
  • Number of Ku-band transponders: 72

The spacecraft has a design life of fifteen years, which is a significant duration considering the harsh conditions of space. This longevity is likely due to the robust design and construction of the SSL-1300 satellite bus.

22.0W Transponder Channels

The 22.0W transponder channels are a crucial aspect of any communication system. They operate on a specific frequency range to ensure reliable transmission.

Each transponder channel has a distinct frequency allocation, ranging from 1555 MHz to 1660 MHz, with a channel spacing of 5 MHz.

Transponder channels are used for a variety of purposes, including communication between aircraft and ground stations.

The 22.0W transponder channels have a specific output power of 22.0 watts, which is essential for maintaining signal strength.

Cora Stoltenberg

Junior Writer

Cora Stoltenberg is a skilled writer with a passion for crafting engaging content on a wide range of topics. Her expertise spans various categories, including Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Strategies, where she provides actionable tips and insights to help businesses improve their online presence. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for simplifying complex concepts, Cora's writing is both informative and accessible to readers of all levels.

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