Plans have been unveiled for a February launch date for new SES satellite SES-9.
SES and SES-9 launch operator, SpaceX, together set the target date for 24 February 2016, with a backup date for the following day. It was announced that SpaceX, a spacecraft designer, manufacturer and launcher based in California, is currently involved in a series of pre-flight testing processes in preparation for the SES-9 launch, which is due to take place at Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
SES-9, at 108.2 degrees East, will be providing over 22 million households across Asia with high quality broadcast solutions. Alongside SES-7, SES-9 will cater to expanding markets such as South Asia, Indonesia and the Philippines, and has been specifically designed to bolster burgeoning mobiliy communications needs across the Indian Ocean.
SES announced that this new satellite forms part of the Luxembourg-based satellite company's strategy to extend its offer in dynamic emerging markets, and will be launched ahead of six other spacecraft under construction. Through these initiatives, SES's satellite capacity for emerging markets is expected to grow by 21% by the end of 2018.
SES-9 was built by Boeing Satellite Systems and has an operational expectancy of 15 years in geosynchronous orbit with a 12.7 kilowatt payload and 57 high-power Ku-band transponders.
Photo by SES (SES-9)
