SES 15

Launch data: Designation  42709 / 17026A Launch date  18 May 2017 - 11:54 UT Launch site  CSG, ELS Launch vehicle  Soyuz-STA Fregat-M Mission  Communication Perigee / Apogee  18245 x 43824 km Eccentricity   Inclination   1.6° Period  1200 min

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• SES-15 is a geostationary communications satellite designed to help airline travelers stay connected and improve air navigation over the United States. The spacecraft hosts hardware for multiple Ku-band communications missions, including a high-throughput payload designed to provide in-flight connectivity to airline passengers traveling across North America, Central America and the Caribbean. A Ku-band beam for video broadcasts overlays the high-throughput footprint over the United States. SES 15 also carries a hosted payload built by Raytheon to improve GPS navigation data over the United States. The navigation aid is part of the Federal Aviation Administration′s Wide-Area Augmentation System, used by pilots and air traffic controllers to improve aircraft spacing and positioning near busy airports and in inclement weather.

Mission details:

• The SES-15 communications satellite was launched from French Guiana on May 18, 2017 aboard an Arianespace Soyuz-ST-A with a Fregat-M upper stage into geotransfer orbit. SES-15 is the fifth Boeing 702SP electric-propulsion satellite and has a launch mass of 2302 kg. The satellite began orbit raising on May 24 and as of Jun 2 was in a 3017 x 32594 km x 5.3 deg orbit.

External links:

• Satellite tracking: Real time satellite tracking