Arianespace successfully launched four additional O3b Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites for SES Networks' O3b MEO constellation. The launch took place on 9 March at 14:10hrs (local time) from the Guiana Space Center (CSG), Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana (South America). Arianespace will launch four more O3b satellites into Medium Earth Orbit for this constellation in 2019. The four Ka-band O3b satellites will join the other 12 O3b satellites already in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) to provide low latency,
Built by Thales Alenia Space, the four new O3b satellites will enable SES to bring more capacity, enhanced coverage and increased performance to
This mission was the second of the year for Arianespace, the first in 2018 using a Soyuz rocket and the second launch since January for the global operator SES. With this fourth launch for O3b fleet since 2013, all 16 spacecraft in the current O3b constellation have been orbited by Arianespace.
With this latest successful launch of four more O3b satellites, Arianespace supports SES Networks’ continued development of its constellation, which started commercial service in September 2014.
SES said its new expansion of the O3b fleet will allow it to offer 38 percent more capacity worldwide, and extend its potential market from 45 to 50 degrees north and south latitude.
