Orbital SES-3 - Manual

Communications
Mission Description
The SES program consists of three virtually identical satellites, SES-1, -2 and -3, built for SES. The
satellites, part of a 2007 contract for up to five similar satellites, are hybrid C- and Ku-band spacecraft
that serve the CONUS and replace satellites currently in orbit. The satellites also incorporate a
redundant Ka-band payload. In addition, the SES-2 satellite incorporated the Commercially Hosted
InfraRed Payload (CHIRP) developed for the U.S. Air Force. A wide field of view sensor was integrated
onto the satellite to validate missle warning technologies from geosynchronous orbit.
The GEOStar ™ Advantage
Orbital’s highly successful Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) communications satellites are based on
the company’s GEOStar spacecraft platform, which is able to accommodate all types of commercial
communications payloads and is compatible with all major commercial launchers. The company’s
GEOStar product line includes the GEOStar-2 design, which is optimized for smaller satellite missions
that can support up to 5.0 kilowatts of payload power. Orbital has also developed the higher-power
GEOStar-3 spacecraft design, delivering the next increment of payload power for applications between
5.0 and 8.0 kilowatts, allowing Orbital to offer its innovative and reliable satellite design to the
medium-class of communications satellites.
Coverage:
CONUS
Mission:
C- and Ku-band communications for
North America, and Ka-band payload
Customer:
SES
FACTS AT A GLANCE
SES-1, SES-2 and SES-3
Three Commercial Communications Satellites
GEO
SES-1 in Orbital's Dulles, Virginia satellite
manufacturing facility