SpaceX completes launch of SES satellites for C-band coverage

The SES-18 and SES-19 satellites, designed and assembled by Northrop Grumman, were successfully launched by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Station in Florida (United States) at 7:38 p.m. local time on Friday, March 17.

The two American-made satellites are the fourth and fifth (and last) satellites to be launched as part of the transition plan to C-band SES, following the launch of SES-22 in June 2022 and the tandem launch of SES-20 and SES-21 in October 2022.

These satellites are essential parts of SES's plan to get the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to clear C-band spectrum to allow wireless operators deploy 5G services throughout the contiguous United States (CONUS), while ensuring that current SES customers continue to enjoy uninterrupted television, radio and critical data transmission services to millions of Americans.

Since 2020, SES, together with other satellite operators, has been clearing 300 MHz of C-band spectrum and transitioning customer services to the remaining 200 MHz of allocated spectrum by launching new satellites, building new earth stations, and sending hundreds of satellite earth station technicians across the country to install new filters on customer antennas.

By providing contractual service protections to customers receiving video services in the United States, SES-18 and SES-19 will enable SES to safely clear C-band spectrum to help meet the FCC's ambitious goals for American 5G innovation. SES-18 is expected to begin operations in June 2023 at 103 degrees West replacing the C-band payload of SES-3 and SES-19 will be co-located with SES-22 at 135 degrees West.