SpaceX to Launch SES O3b mPOWER Mission with Two Communication Satellites
Key Highlights :
Today (Nov. 12), SpaceX is set to launch the SES O3b mPOWER mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This flight will place two communication satellites into medium Earth orbit (MEO) and is scheduled to lift off during an 89-minute window that opens at 4:08 p.m. EST (2108 GMT). The mission is expected to provide high-speed connectivity to a variety of customers in both government and private industries beginning in late 2023.
The two Boeing-built spacecraft aboard the flight will expand the O3b constellation of communication satellites operated by provider SES S.A. of Luxembourg. Once the six-satellite constellation is complete, it will be able to provide high-speed connectivity to a variety of customers in both government and private industries.
The Falcon 9 booster on the flight has flown on eight previous missions, five of which were devoted to building out SpaceX's megaconstellation of broadband internet satellites, Starlink. Starlink currently consists of more than 5,000 operational satellites.
The launch is set to take place during an 89-minute window that opens at 4:08 p.m. EST (2108 GMT). Coverage of the launch is expected to begin about five minutes before liftoff and can be watched live via SpaceX's account on X (formerly known as Twitter).
According to SpaceX's mission plan, the Falcon 9's first stage will come back to Earth and make a vertical touchdown on the company's drone ship about 8.5 minutes after liftoff. The ship, known as "A Shortfall of Gravitas," will be waiting nearby in the Atlantic Ocean; the rocket's upper stage will not be recovered, as is standard for Falcon 9 flights.
Two hours after liftoff, the rocket's upper stage will deploy the first of the two satellites into medium Earth orbit (MEO) some 5,000 miles (8,000 km) above our planet. Seven minutes later, the second satellite will be deployed.
SpaceX has had an incredibly busy year with 84 launches so far and aims to launch 144 missions next year. The SES O3b mPOWER mission marks SpaceX's 84th launch of the year and is an important step in the company's mission to provide high-speed internet access to people all over the world.
