United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Two Key SES Commercial C-band Satellites

Atlas V launched SES-20 and SES-21 to ship TV, radio and demanding knowledge transmission providers in help of the FCC’s 5G nationwide transition

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla., Oct. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the SES-20 and SES-21 satellites in a dual-satellite configuration lifted off on Oct. 4 at 5:36 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. To date ULA has launched 154 occasions with 100% mission success.

“We’re excited to support our commercial partner SES in their C-band transition efforts to meet the FCC’s objective to deploy 5G service across the U.S. Their mission aligns with our mission to connect the world and these capabilities will enable uninterrupted commercial services to many Americans,” stated Gary Wentz, ULA vp of Government and Commercial Programs. “The Atlas V delivered the satellites accurately to a near-geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles (35,888 km) above the equator. Thank you to the ULA team and our partners for ensuring the successful delivery of this multi-payload mission to orbit.”

The Boeing-built C-band satellites, launched on an Atlas V 531 configuration rocket, will allow SES to proceed offering important knowledge and TV transmission providers to almost 120 million American houses. The launch of SES-20 and SES-21 is a part of a broader Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to clear a portion of C-band spectrum to allow wi-fi operators to deploy 5G providers throughout the contiguous US (CONUS). This was the 96^th launch of the Atlas V rocket, the 80^th Atlas V launch from SLC-41 and the 107^th launch from SLC-41.

ULA’s subsequent launch is the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS)-2 civilian polar-orbiting climate mission for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA and NASA’s Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID). The launch is deliberate for Nov. 1 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. 

Leveraging a legacy of 100% mission success launching greater than 150 missions to discover, shield and improve our world, ULA is the nation’s most skilled and dependable launch service supplier with world-leading reliability, schedule confidence, and mission optimization. We ship worth unmatched by any launch providers firm within the business, a tireless drive to enhance, and dedication to the extraordinary. 

For extra info on ULA, go to the ULA web site at www.ulalaunch.com, or name the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321).

Photos accessible on the ULA Flickr web page.

SOURCE United Launch Alliance (ULA)