TWIN LAUNCH One of the two newSES satellites launched on Dec. 17 —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Satellite telecommunications network provider SES has launched two additional satellites to medium Earth orbit (MEO) from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States.
The launch of two O3b mPOWER satellites, which took place on Dec. 17 at 5:26 p.m. local time, used a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. These new satellites will complement the six already in operation, significantly boosting the capacity and performance of the satellite constellation.
Satellites in MEO, ranging from 2,000 to 35,800 kilometers above the surface of the Earth, are often used for navigation, communication and Earth observation.
The latest satellites feature advanced payload power modules, enhancing the second-generation MEO system of Luxembourg-based SES. This upgrade is seen to allow SES to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet services across the Asia-Pacific region and globally, serving major customers such as Microsoft and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
In the Philippines, SES has committed to improve internet connectivity. This was showcased through a proof-of-concept test with the Department of Information and Communications Technology that achieved speeds of 500 Mbps for downloads and 80 Mbps for uploads.
This is seen to demonstrate the potential of the O3b mPOWER satellites to provide robust, high-bandwidth connectivity, ideal for businesses, telecommunications, maritime operations and defense sectors, particularly in remote areas of the Philippines.
SES has a growing list of prominent clients, including Microsoft, Princess Cruises and various government agencies, all relying on these satellites for reliable internet access.
“O3b mPOWER system is our most powerful, technically advanced, flexible satellite constellation in space. As we increase the number of satellites in our constellation, we also exponentially increase the capacity and efficiency of our network,” says Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES.
“Ever since the start of service of O3b mPOWER earlier this year, we have seen how it has become an integral part of connectivity experience of our customers. We have also learned a lot and have put all of those insights to work as we progress in our innovation journey to scale up our service and meet even the most sophisticated requirements of our customers,” Al-Saleh adds.
In total, the O3b mPOWER system will eventually consist of 13 satellites, with five more currently under construction and scheduled for launch within the next 18 months. This expansion is further expected to enhance connectivity options for users throughout the Philippines and beyond.