Boeing has delivered the third and fourth O3b
mPOWER satellites to content connectivity service provider SES,
with the duo embarking for Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The pair will launch to medium Earth orbit (MEO)
to provide fiber-like broadband connectivity to people around the
world, joining the first two satellites which were launched in
December 2022 and are now in
orbit.
“We are proud to have successfully delivered the
third and fourth O3b mPOWER satellites and are looking forward to
delivering the remaining satellites in the constellation,” said
Michelle Parker, vice president of Space Mission Systems at Boeing
Defense, Space & Security.
Boeing is contracted to deliver 11 O3b mPOWER
satellites to SES, but just 6 satellites are needed in equatorial
MEO to provide global connectivity services.
The O3b mPOWER
satellites are all-digital with a 702X software-driven payload,
providing customers the flexibility to change
services and markets to meet data demands.
“As we get ready to launch the next pair of O3b
mPOWER satellites in the coming weeks, we are excited to have them
join the first two satellites which are currently undergoing
rigorous testing as they arrive at their target medium earth
orbit,” said Ruy Pinto, Chief Technology Officer at SES. “The
early indications from our test program are that the O3b mPOWER
system will more than fulfill the expectations of our customers.
We will be delivering networks that offer the industry’s best
throughput, high availability and predictable performance that are
essential for our customers’ critical applications and creating
new business opportunities for SES.”
With seven more satellites in production, Boeing
has reduced the bus module build time by more than 50 percent, and
delivered similar efficiency improvements for payload integration
and testing.
