
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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.
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