The SES-9 spacecraft is entering commercial service having successfully completed its testing and reached its orbital position at around 108.2° East.
SES 2 June 2016SES-9 is intended to broaden the operator’s global video capabilities to serve markets such as South Asia, Indonesia and the Philippines, and is charged with providing both replacement and incremental launch in the premium video neighbourhood over Asia which already serves over 22 million households.
Launched on 4 March 2016, after a number of delays, SES-9 is designed to operate for 15 years in geosynchronous orbit with a 12.7kw payload and 57 Ku-band transponders. The craft is SES’s largest satellite over Asia-Pacific, adding a Ku-band payload of 81 36MHz transponder equivalents of which 53 are incremental, expanding SES’s scale in global video and mobility verticals with anchor customers already secured. Sky Cable, the largest cable television provider in the Philippines, signed a multi-year, multi-transponder agreement for broadcasting direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV channels.
Since launch, the satellite has used both its chemical and electric propulsion systems to reach its assigned geostationary orbit. The satellite’s platform and payload have since undergone extensive in-orbit tests.
“SES-9 is key to expanding our capabilities for DTH video broadcasting and services in Northeast Asia, South Asia and Indonesia,” said SES CTO Martin Halliwell. “Equipped with dedicated mobility beams, SES-9 is also well positioned to serve the fast-growing maritime and aeronautical sectors. The improved performance of the Falcon 9 launcher shortened the orbit raising phase and, in combination with the use of the highly efficient SES-9 electric propulsion system, resulted in remaining fuel on board to support services well beyond its 15 years’ design life. I congratulate the Boeing, SpaceX and SES teams, who together have done an excellent job.”
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