SES-2 is a

communications satellite A communications satellite is an artificial satellite that relays and amplifies radio telecommunication signals via a Transponder (satellite communications), transponder; it creates a communication channel between a source transmitter and a Rad ...

operated by SES. It was launched alongside the Arabsat-5C satellite.

Spacecraft

The platform is home to the first hosted payload, a mechanism by which governmental entities can fly modules on commercial satellites. It carries 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders of 36 MHz capacity. Six of the channels in each band can be cross-strapped to the opposite band, enabling new service capability. The SES-2 satellite generates approximately 5.0 kW of payload power and has two 2.3 m deployable reflectors. It also carries the Commercially Hosted InfraRed Payload (CHIRP) for the U.S. Air Force. CHIRP demonstrates

infrared Infrared (IR; sometimes called infrared light) is electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with wavelengths longer than that of visible light but shorter than microwaves. The infrared spectral band begins with the waves that are just longer than those ...

detection technologies from

geostationary orbit A geostationary orbit, also referred to as a geosynchronous equatorial orbit''Geostationary orbit'' and ''Geosynchronous (equatorial) orbit'' are used somewhat interchangeably in sources. (GEO), is a circular orbit, circular geosynchronous or ...

for missile warning applications.

Launch

SES-2, a communications satellite, was launched on 21 September 2011 from

Centre Spatial Guyanais The Guiana Space Centre (; CSG), also called Europe's Spaceport, is a spaceport to the northwest of Kourou in French Guiana, an Overseas departments and regions of France, overseas region of France in South America. Kourou is located approxim ...

, Kourou at 21:38:00 UTC by an

Ariane 5 ECA Ariane 5 is a retired European Heavy-lift launch vehicle, heavy-lift space launch vehicle operated by Arianespace for the European Space Agency (ESA). It was launched from the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) in French Guiana. It was used to deliver p ...

launch vehicle A launch vehicle is typically a rocket-powered vehicle designed to carry a payload (a crewed spacecraft or satellites) from Earth's surface or lower atmosphere to outer space. The most common form is the ballistic missile-shaped multistage ...

. The satellite weighed 3200 kg and join four other Orbital Sciences-built spacecraft in the SES fleet to provide service for

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...

Latin America Latin America is the cultural region of the Americas where Romance languages are predominantly spoken, primarily Spanish language, Spanish and Portuguese language, Portuguese. Latin America is defined according to cultural identity, not geogr ...

and the

Caribbean The Caribbean ( , ; ; ; ) is a region in the middle of the Americas centered around the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, mostly overlapping with the West Indies. Bordered by North America to the north, Central America ...

. It is stationed at 87° West

longitude Longitude (, ) is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east- west position of a point on the surface of the Earth, or another celestial body. It is an angular measurement, usually expressed in degrees and denoted by the Greek lett ...

Mission

It entered into commercial service on 27 October 2011 in the 87° West orbital location. This satellite is used to transmit the updating Othernet archive to the small lightweight Othernet receiver stations designed to eventually provide news, weather, educational and other media to communities with no access to the internet.

References

Spacecraft launched in 2011 SES satellites Communications satellites in geostationary orbit Ariane commercial payloads Satellites using the GEOStar bus Satellites of Luxembourg {{Luxembourg-spacecraft-stub