Satellite operator SES has announced an agreement with launch provider SpaceX to loft one of its satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket in Q1 2013.
While the agreement primarily concerns the launch of SES-8 for the Asian DTH market at 95E, marking the first…
Satellite operator SES has announced an agreement with launch provider SpaceX to loft one of its satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket in Q1 2013.
While the agreement primarily concerns the launch of SES-8 for the Asian DTH market at 95E, marking the first time a Falcon 9 rocket has been used to place a geostationary satellite, it also includes an option for a secondary SES spacecraft.
SES and SpaceX declined to comment on financial details, but the latter’s website quotes US$56m for a GTO (geosynchronous transfer orbit) launch. However, one source argued that it is likely that SES would have achieved a cheaper price given the satellite operator’s reputation as a diligent customer and the commercial legitimacy that the contract will give to its Falcon 9 rocket.
The move also represents efforts by SES to supplement the group’s traditional launch agreements with providers Arianespace and ILS.
Announcing the deal on 14 March, SES President and CEO Romain Bausch said: “After extensive due diligence of SpaceX’s technical and operational expertise, we feel comfortable entrusting SpaceX with one of our satellites, thereby encouraging diversity in the launch vehicle sector and fostering entrepreneurial spirit in the space industry.
“Falcon 9 ideally complements our roster of [Arianespace’s] Ariane 5 and [ILS’] Proton boosters, as well as our framework launch understanding with [Russian launch provider] Sea Launch. We look forward to a successful collaboration with SpaceX on the SES-8 mission and beyond.” The agreement follows the successful test launch of Falcon 9 last December, when the rocket sent SpaceX’s unmanned Dragon capsule into low Earth orbit before a Pacific Ocean splashdown.
In a statement accompanying the new launch deal, SpaceX CEO and CTO Elon Musk said it represented the trust his company was gaining in the satellite industry.
“SES is known for their low tolerance to risk and cautious approach in evaluating suppliers,” said Musk “SpaceX has focused on building the most reliable, safe and affordable launch vehicles in the market today. The SES deal shows that even the most conservative commercial or government customers can have confidence flying their satellites on the Falcon 9 rocket.” A spokesman for SES told SatelliteFinance that no decision had been made in regards to a secondary launch with SpaceX, but “we are studying a number of missions that may fit a second Falcon 9 launch”.
Falcon 9 rockets will also be used as part of a US$492m launch contract with MSS operator Iridium Communications for its 72 satellite second-generation constellation NEXT.
SES, however, is still keen to continue using its traditional launch providers. Two days after unveiling the SpaceX deal, the group announced plans to launch SES-6 in 2013 on an ILS Proton. This bird will replace NSS-806 at 319.5E to provide enhanced DTH coverage in the Americas.
