Falcon 9 to launch first geostationary satellite in 2013
Leading European satellite operator SES has signed an agreement with US's SpaceX to launch its SES-8 communications satellite on board the Falcon 9 rocket.
Caption: The Falcon 9 rocket. A file photo
HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA (BNS): Leading European satellite operator SES has signed an agreement with US space launch company SpaceX to launch its SES-8 communications satellite.
Under the agreement, SpaceX will launch the SES-8 satellite on board its Falcon 9 rocket in 2013.
This will be the first geostationary satellite launch by the Falcon 9 rocket, SpaceX said.
The geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) communications spacecraft will be launched from SpaceX’s Launch Complex 40 at the US Air Force Station at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The new medium-sized satellite will provide Ku-band communication services to India and the Southeast Asia region.
The firm launch agreement with SpaceX also includes an option for a second SES launch, the California-based company said. It supplements SES’ existing multi-launch agreements with its traditional launch providers Arianespace and ILS, it added.
Luxembourg-based SES is one of the largest satellite operators in the world.
Under the agreement, SpaceX will launch the SES-8 satellite on board its Falcon 9 rocket in 2013.
This will be the first geostationary satellite launch by the Falcon 9 rocket, SpaceX said.
The geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) communications spacecraft will be launched from SpaceX’s Launch Complex 40 at the US Air Force Station at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The new medium-sized satellite will provide Ku-band communication services to India and the Southeast Asia region.
The firm launch agreement with SpaceX also includes an option for a second SES launch, the California-based company said. It supplements SES’ existing multi-launch agreements with its traditional launch providers Arianespace and ILS, it added.
Luxembourg-based SES is one of the largest satellite operators in the world.
