On Friday, March 17, 2023, SpaceX launched SES-18 and SES-19 satellites into orbit using Falcon 9 rocket, the is our champion of reusability. SpaceX launched fired this rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The Falcon 9 booster used in this mission also backed CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, and two Starlink missions.
SES:
SES-18 & SES-19 are C-band communication satellites owned by SES S.A., a Luxembourgian telecommunication company. The satellites were designed, produced, and tested by Northrop Grumman in Dulles, Virginia. Each satellite has a mass of 3,500 kg, two solar arrays, a lifespan of 15 years, and is equipped with a high-quality C-band payload.
The main aim is to provide North America with digital broadcasting services. Together with the other four satellites (SES-20, SES-21, SES-22, and SES-23), the SES-18 & SES-19 satellites will contribute to the effort of clearing the lower portion of the C-band spectrum necessary to deploy 5G services in the United States.
Pre launch process:
SpaceX began loading propellant 38 minutes prior to the launch. Throughout the pre-launch duration, SpaceX followed the RP-1 loading, 1st stage liquid oxygen loading, and 2nd stage LOX loading.
At 7 minutes, Falcon 9 began engine chill prior to launch. One minute before the launch, the command flight computer began final prelaunch checks. At T-45, SpaceX gave a final go for the launch and at T-3, Falcon 9 ignite its engine for liftoff.
Liftoff:
Falcon 9 with SES-18 and SES-19 satellites showed an amazing display of power with liftoff.
Separation:
SpaceX separates 1st and 2nd stages.
1st stage landing:
After landing burn, Falcon 9 reaches back to earth on a droneship at 8:45 minutes after liftoff.
Deployment confirmed:
SpaceX will confirm the SES-18 deployment after 32 minutes and after 5 minutes of SES-19 satellite deployment.