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.jpg) The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SES-8 communications satellite launches from Cape Canaveral SLC-40. | |
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | SES |
| COSPAR ID | 2013-071A |
| SATCAT no. | 39460 |
| Website | https://www.ses.com/ |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 10 years, 11 months, 13 days (elapsed) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | GEOStar-2 |
| Bus | STAR-2.4 |
| Manufacturer | Orbital Sciences Corporation |
| Launch mass | 3,170 kg (6,990 lb) |
| Power | 5 kW |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 3 December 2013, 22:41:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 v1.1 |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, SLC-40 |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Entered service | February 2014 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 95° East |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 33 Ku-band |
| Bandwidth | 36 MHz |
| Coverage area | South Asia, India, Indo-China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos |
SES-8 is a geostationary Communications satellite operated by SES SES-8 was successfully launched on SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 on 3 December 2013, 22:41:00 UTC.[1]
It was the first flight of any SpaceX launch vehicle to a supersynchronous transfer orbit,[2] an orbit with a somewhat larger apogee than the more usual geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) typically utilised for communication satellites.[3]
- ^ "SES-8". SatBeams. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
aw20131124was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ de Selding, Peter B. (20 September 2013). "Rocket Oversupply or Not, Satellite Operators Still Struggle To Secure Launches". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
The launch, for which SES paid well under US$60 million, has suffered multiple delays as Hawthorne, California-based SpaceX works through issues related to bringing the vehicle to operational status. Given the low price paid, SES is reluctant to move the satellite to another rocket despite the months-long delay. The company is still hoping for a launch in November or December. The original contract in 2011 called for an early 2013 launch.