SES-1

[Houston Rockets]

Well it looks like they will not be replacing SES-1 (101-W) it was put in orbit in 2010 and its 15 year run is up.. and they have no plans on replacing ....

This admission marks a sharp turning point for the industry. The massive battlestar satellites (6,000-kilogram behemoths designed to amortize capital costs over two decades) have become financial liabilities. Rapidly falling bandwidth prices have shattered the spreadsheet logic that underpinned the modern telecommunications industry.

"Likely, the majority of those satellites will not be replaced," Benedict told the hushed room, "because the business case for them just no longer closes,".

 

[comfortably_numb]

Why are services moving to 101 KU from satellites like 87?

 

[Keith Brannen]

No cause for alarm, SES-1 is fine for a while. SES applied for and was granted an extension to its license to June 16 2030 (so 20 years service). Plenty of time for a possible replacement, if required. (See attachment).

It is not unusual for satellites to last longer. Galaxy 19 and Galaxy 16 both were granted extensions until 2028, so 20 years service for Galaxy 19, and 22 years service for Galaxy 16.

 

[Houston Rockets]

No cause for alarm, SES-1 is fine for a while. SES applied for and was granted an extension to its license to June 16 2030 (so 20 years service). Plenty of time for a possible replacement, if required. (See attachment).

It is not unusual for satellites to last longer. Galaxy 19 and Galaxy 16 both were granted extensions until 2028, so 20 years service for Galaxy 19, and 22 years service for Galaxy 16.

You do know that is less than 14 months and then what? There is no plans to replace that bird.

 

[comfortably_numb]

You do know that is less than 14 months and then what? There is no plans to replace that bird.

June 16, 2030 is 4 years, if my math is a' mathin' this morning..

 

[Keith Brannen]

June 16, 2030 is 4 years, if my math is a' mathin' this morning..

Correct, just under four years. Plus, since this is in the C-band forum, there is always the fairly new and unused satellite parked at 103w, SES-20, available for C-band only in case something happens to SES-1. So no worries whatsoever.

Of course, I'd be more concerned about the greedy FCC decimating most of the rest of the C-band spectrum for quick mega-dollars. Might get some high-powered Ku only satellites out of it, so Ku would be covered, as well.

 

[lost_mesa]

The full article is interesting.

SES Executive Confirms End of the 15-Year Satellite Era – SatNews

satnews.com

 

[texanboy]

Can a satellite be maintained if needed, by refueling the thrusters and propellants, and maintaining power units and radio systems?

 

[Keith Brannen]

Can a satellite be maintained if needed, by refueling the thrusters and propellants, and maintaining power units and radio systems?

Early stages at present:

Satellite refuelling - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Martyn]

I assume there will be no more C-band satellites launched to serve North America. With only 500MHz of spectrum left in a couple of years, I imagine the economics don't work out. That and the increasing switch to fiber and all the ku capacity sitting available.

 

[Houston Rockets]

I assume there will be no more C-band satellites launched to serve North America. With only 500MHz of spectrum left in a couple of years, I imagine the economics don't work out. That and the increasing switch to fiber and all the ku capacity sitting available.

Well remember they replaced a lot of the C Band Satellites, so I guess when there life runs out they won't be replaced again...