Boeing has confirmed the successful launch of the 9th and 10th O3b mPOWER satellites, which were built for SES. The satellites were launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral at 5:12 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Two hours post-launch, they separated from the launch vehicle and began health checks by Boeing team members in El Segundo, California.
The satellites will use xenon thrusters to maneuver in space during their 130-day journey to Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), about 8,000 kilometers above Earth. They will join eight other satellites already providing connectivity services worldwide.
"We designed O3b mPOWER so each additional satellite beyond the first six boosts capacity, performance, and resilience," said Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems.
The O3b mPOWER constellation started commercial service in April 2024, offering high-throughput and low latency connectivity with extensive geographic flexibility. From MEO, these satellites cover nearly 95% of the global population.
"I'm proud of our SES team and partners for continuously pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space to bring critical connectivity where it matters most," said Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES. "With this launch we continue adding incremental capacity to our initial O3b mPOWER constellation."
The satellites utilize digitally formed beams to address communication needs dynamically. Boeing has adapted this technology for military use on various U.S. Space Force projects.
Boeing is a major aerospace company that develops commercial airplanes, defense products, and space systems globally. The company emphasizes safety, quality, and integrity in its operations.
Contact:
Zeyad Maasarani
Boeing Communications
+1-562-400-5533
zeyad.maasarani@boeing.com