SpaceX will launch Swedish Ovzon 3 GEO satellite on January 3

SpaceX is set to launch the new Ovzon 3 satellite mission into low-earth orbit on January 3 using the Falcon 9 reusable rocket. The mission will take place at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

There is a 10-minute launch window opened at 6:04 p.m. ET on January 3, 2024, for liftoff and a backup launch opportunity on the next day at 4:47 p.m. ET.

The booster supporting this mission is joining its 10th flight and previously launched CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, O3b mPOWER, and five Starlink satellite launches.

Post hot staging, the first stage will land back on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Interestingly, the satellite launch was previously planned for December 15 and was delayed due to weather conditions.

“Launch of Ovzon 3 is now targeted for early January 2024 due to continuous unfavorable weather and as a result of shifts in the launch schedule. While the weather is out of our control, the spacecraft remains healthy, and we continue to work closely with SpaceX to prepare for launch in early January. This shift does not affect the roll-out of our unique next-generation SATCOM-as-a-Service offerings”, says Per Norén, CEO of Ovzon.

Ovzon 3:

This geostationary communication satellite was designed and developed by Swedish company Ovzon. Once in orbit, the satellite will cover one-third of the earth via its steerable spot beams.

The satellite also has Ovzon’s technologies with high-power steerable beams and software solutions as well as its onboard processor.

The Ovzon 3 is looking at an orbit class of 36,000 km using its internal electric propulsion system following separation from the third stage of the Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite will then transit into a geostationary orbit position at 59.7 degrees east.