SES-2 launches on second attempt

SES has successfully launched its latest satellite, SES-2, following a delay caused by industrial action.

The satellite launched on board an Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana at 18:38 local time yesterday.

Romain Bausch, president and CEO of SES, said: “Roughly two months after the successful launch of SES-3, the launch success of SES-2 on Ariane marks another important event for SES’ North American customers, completing SES’ encompassing satellite fleet renewal over North America. SES would like to thank Arianespace and Orbital for a mission well executed. Fitted with CHIRP, SES’ first hosted payload, SES-2 is also an important demonstration of how hosting government special purpose payloads on commercial satellites can provide cost effective means for experimenting with new technologies.”

SES-2 is carrying 24 C-Band transponders and 24 Ku-Band transponders. It will replace SES’ AMC-3 spacecraft at 87° West and provide coverage of North America and the Caribbean.