SpaceX launched the final three O3b mPower satellites for SES on Sunday, completing a lesser-known satellite network that has been in development for over a decade. The launch occurred during an 87-minute window that opened at 2:49 p.m. Eastern.
Unlike SpaceX's Starlink constellation, which operates in low Earth orbit (around 340 miles), the O3b mPower satellites are positioned in medium Earth orbit at approximately 5,000 miles. This higher orbit allows SES to cover the globe with fewer satellites; only 13 were needed for the O3b mPower network to provide fast and stable service.
While Starlink targets consumers, RVs, homes, and small businesses, O3b mPower focuses on enterprise-grade connectivity for airlines, cruise lines, offshore energy operators, telecommunications companies, and governments. SpaceX and SES already offer combined services for some customers, such as cruise ships, leveraging Starlink's speed and O3b mPower's consistent capacity.
The mission marked the 29th flight for the Falcon 9 booster, which has a history including crewed missions, the Euclid telescope, and numerous Starlink deployments. This launch also represented a significant milestone for SpaceX's booster landing record.
This launch highlights SpaceX's diverse launch manifest, which extends beyond its own Starlink constellation to include satellites for other companies like SES, providing them with a completed network for their specific customer base.
