SES has tabbed Arianespace to launch its new hybrid communications satellite, the SES-12.
SES tabs Arianespace to launch communications satellite
SES has tabbed Arianespace to launch its new hybrid communications satellite, the SES-12.
The satellite will be launched on board an Ariane 5 booster from the European Space Center in Kourous, French Guiana in the fourth quarter of 2017.
SES says the new satellite will expand the company’s capabilities in direct-to-home broadcasting, VSAT, mobility and high throughput satellite connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region as well as India and Indonesia.
Positioned at an orbital slot of 95 degrees east, the SES-12 will replace the existing NSS-7 satellite and will be co-located with the SES-8 satellite.
The SES-12 satellite was built by Airbus Defence and Space on the Eurostar E3000 platform. Estimated to have a life span of 15 years, the satellite’s payload includes 68 Ku-band transponders and eight Ka-band transponders. The craft will be equipped with an electric plasma propulsion system for on-orbit maneuvers.
This mission also includes a Digital Transparent Processor (DTP) which provides anti-jamming capabilities as well as increased payload flexibility in order to provide customized bandwidth solutions to SES customers.
Ariane 5 has been in commercial operation with Arianespace since 1999. With the capabilities of three vehicles in commercial service, Arianespace is targeting a flight activity level of approximately 10 missions annually from French Guiana – consisting of an average seven Ariane 5 flights per year, plus two Soyuz missions and a Vega launch.
