Few days before SpaceX launched 10- Iridium Satellites into the low Earth Orbit, SpaceX is now set to send SES-11/EchoStar 105 hybrid communication satellites today. The liftoff is scheduled at 6:53 p.m. EDT at the Kennedy Space Center’s launch pad 39A.
The most significant thing about this launch is that SpaceX will be using ‘flight-proven’ Falcon 9 rocket. This will be the third mission for SpaceX re-using a rocket booster.
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| Falcon9 arrived at the launch pad 39A in Florida, Courtesy: twitter |
The main objective
The main objective of this launch is to replace AMC-15 and AMC-18 satellite by placing the hybrid communication satellites SES-11/EchoStar-105 in the geostationary orbit (which is about 22, 000 miles – nearly 36, 000 kilometers)over 105 degrees west. The hybrid communication satellites SES-11/EchoStar-105 is optimized for digital television delivery which utilizes the Airbus Eurostar platform and is designed to accelerate the roll-out of high and ultra-high definition video services to North America including Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. As per SES, the spacecraft Ku-band will replace AMC-15 at 105 degrees west, while the spacecraft C-band will provide the replacement for AMC-18 at the same position.
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| The Hybrid communication satellite will serve North America including Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean |
Secondarily, Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on the barge -Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship (ASDS), Of Course, I still Love you (OCISLY). ASDS is an ocean-going vessel equipped with the station-keeping engines and a large landing platform, this is designed by SpaceX for the recovery of first stage rockets undergoing high-velocity launches and do not carry enough fuel to return to the launch site, like in this case this GTO mission will cost a lot of fuel. SpaceX has two operational drone ships: Just Read the Instructions in Pacific for launches from Vandenberg and Of Course, I Still Love you in Atlantic for launches from Cape Canaveral. The Falcon 9 first stage rocket will attempt to land on the barge which will be located about 650-700km downrange in the Atlantic Ocean.
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| The first stage rocket expected to land on ASDS :Of Course, I still Love you (OCISLY) |
This will be the first time any a rocket booster has landed firstly on land and then on water.
To make sure the booster is secured safely a robot is designed by SpaceX to secure the rocket booster.
Technical Specification of the satellites:
The satellites weigh about 5200 kg, the solar panels will provide 12kw of energy for the payload of 24Ku transponders and 24c band transponders, the ku transponders will be used by Eurostar and c band transponders will be used by SES. The static fire test for this launch has already been completed on 2nd October 2017 16:30 EDT.
As per the reports, the weather condition is 90% favorable until tomorrow as the low pressure may move into the area, increasing winds and seas. This low will migrate west and possibly impact Florida by the weekend.
SES 11/EchoStar 105 launch successful by Falcon 9, 1st stage rocket landed successfully in the Atlantic Ocean
SES 11/EchoStar 105 launch successful by Falcon 9, 1st stage rocket landed successfully in the Atlantic Ocean
Great Info.Yes, The satellite EchoStar 105/ SES-11 will be positioned at the 105° West orbital slot and will replace C-band capacity for AMC-18 and Ku-band capacity for AMC-15. The coverage areas of the satellite are in the Americas, including Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean
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