The SES-15 satellite has arrived at the European space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, in preparation for its launch by a Soyuz vehicle in April 2017.
Designed and manufactured by Boeing, SES-15 will carry a hybrid payload, with additional Ku-band wide beams and Ku- as well as Ka-band High Throughput Satellite (HTS) capability. The satellite will be equipped with an electric propulsion system for orbit-raising and in-orbit maneuvers. The satellite will also carry the Wide Area Augmentation Systems (WAAS), a US government-funded hosted payload to augment the Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
SES-15 is the first SES hybrid satellite to be launched and is equipped with 16 Ku-band transponders (36MHz equivalent) as well as a 10 GHz high throughput payload. The all-electric satellite will operate at the new orbital position of 129 degrees West and will serve North America, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
SES-15 is the first of three hybrid wide beam and HTS satellites, delivering optimized and flexible global coverage for major global IFC/IFE providers who have made significant, long-term pre-commitments. The satellite will also enable other traffic intensive data applications such as government, VSAT networks and maritime.
