View source for O3b

{{Short description|Satellite constellation designed for telecommunications and data backhaul from remote locations}}
{{about|the 1st gen O3b satellites|2nd gen satellites|O3b mPOWER|the defunct satellite operator|O3b Networks}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name               = O3b MEO
| names_list         =
| image              = O3b satellite constellation.png
| image_caption      = Rendering of O3b MEO satellite coverage areas and visibility around the [[equator]].
| image_size         = 300px
| mission_type       = [[Internet access]]
| operator           = [[SES (company)#SES Networks|SES Networks]]
| COSPAR_ID          =
| SATCAT             =
| website            =
| mission_duration   =
| spacecraft         =
| spacecraft_type    =
| spacecraft_bus     =
| manufacturer       = [[Thales Alenia Space]]
| launch_mass        = 700 kg
| dimensions         =
| power              = <!-- [[watt]]s -->
| launch_date        = {{start date|df=yes|2013|06|25|7=Z}} (four)<br/>{{start date|df=yes|2014|07|10|7=Z}} (four)<br/>{{start date|df=yes|2014|12|18|7=Z}} (four)<br/>{{start date|df=yes|2018|03|09|7=Z}} (four)<br/>{{start date|df=yes|2019|04|04|7=Z}} (four)
| launch_rocket      =
| launch_site        =
| launch_contractor  =
| entered_service    =
| disposal_type      =
| deactivated        =
| last_contact       =
| orbit_reference    = [[Geocentric orbit]]
| orbit_regime       = [[Medium Earth orbit]]
| orbit_periapsis    = 8063 km
| orbit_apoapsis     =
| orbit_inclination  =
| orbit_period       = 287.9 minutes
| apsis              = gee
| trans_band         =
| trans_frequency    = <!-- specific frequencies -->
| trans_bandwidth    = <!-- bandwidth -->
| trans_capacity     = <!-- capacity of the transponders -->
| trans_coverage     =
| trans_TWTA         = <!-- TWTA output power -->
| trans_EIRP         = <!-- equivalent isotropic power -->
| trans_HPBW         = <!-- half-power beam width -->
| programme          =
| previous_mission   =
| next_mission       =
}}
'''O3b''' is a [[satellite constellation]] in [[Medium Earth orbit]] ('''MEO''') owned and operated by [[SES (company)|SES]], and designed to provide lower-latency broadband connectivity to remote locations for mobile network operators and internet service providers, maritime, aviation, and government and defence. It is often referred to as '''O3b MEO''' to distinguish these satellites from SES's [[O3b mPOWER]] constellation.<ref>[https://www.ses.com/our-coverage/o3b-meo ''O3b MEO''] O3b section title page in SES.com. Accessed 26 May 2021</ref>
O3b originally stood for "other three billion", or the other three billion people at the time that did not have stable internet access, and the constellation was initially built, owned and operated by [[O3b Networks]], which became a wholly owned subsidiary of SES in 2016<ref>[http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160801005941/en/SES-Completes-Acquisition-100-O3b-Networks ''SES Completes Acquisition of 100% of O3b Networks''], Business Wire, 1 August 2016, Accessed 26 April 2017</ref> and ownership and operation of the constellation passed to [[SES (company)#SES Networks|SES Networks]], a division of SES. The O3b MEO constellation began offering service in March 2014.<ref>{{cite journal|arxiv=1407.2521|title=Revisiting elliptical satellite orbits to enhance the O3b constellation|journal=Journal of the British Interplanetary Society|volume=67|issue=3|pages=110–118|year=2014|last1=Wood|first1=Lloyd|last2=Lou|first2=Yuxuan|last3=Olusola|first3=Opeoluwa |bibcode=2014JBIS...67..110W}}</ref>
== History ==
Initially planned to launch in 2010,<ref>[http://o3bnetworks.com/media-centre/press-releases/2009/global-broadband-solution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210004551/http://o3bnetworks.com/media-centre/press-releases/2009/global-broadband-solution|date=10 February 2013}} GBS to utilize O3b's low-latency network to augment [[broadband]] and WiMax services</ref> the first four O3b satellites reached orbit on a [[Soyuz-2]] / [[Fregat|Fregat-MT]] [[launch vehicle]] by [[Arianespace]] on 25 June 2013.<ref name=Launch>{{cite web |url=http://www.arianespace.com/mission/soyuz-flight-vs05/|title=Soyuz Flight VS05 with four O3b networks satellites|publisher=Arianespace|date=25 June 2013|access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=O3b's Satellites Launch Successfully|url=http://www.o3bnetworks.com/additional-pages/blog/o3b's-satellites-launch-successfully|publisher=O3b|date=25 June 2013|access-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521125821/http://www.o3bnetworks.com/additional-pages/blog/o3b's-satellites-launch-successfully|archive-date=21 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> After discovering a hardware defect in the initial satellites, O3b postponed the planned September 2013 launch of four additional satellites so repairs could be made.<ref>[https://archive.today/20140520150216/http://www.spacenews.com/article/satellite-telecom/37953delayed-o3b-satellites-should-be-ready-for-march-launch ''Delayed O3b Satellites Should be Ready for March Launch''], SpaceNews, 1 November 2013, Retrieved 28 October 2020</ref> The second four satellites were launched by the same type of rocket from the Space Center in [[French Guiana]], on 10 July 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.o3bnetworks.com/3222|title=O3b Networks going operational with state-of-the-art satellite constellation to serve the other 3 billion|access-date=29 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730013147/http://www.o3bnetworks.com/3222|archive-date=30 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the O3b system started full commercial service on 1 September 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://satellitemarkets.com/news-analysis/o3b-successfully-launches-four-more-satellites-complete-iniitial-constellation |title=O3b Successfully Launches Four More Satellites to Complete {{as written|Iniit|ial [sic]}} Constellation |publisher=Satellite Markets & Research |date=18 December 2014 |access-date=28 October 2020}}</ref>
The third launch of four took place in December 2014, bringing the [[satellite constellation]] to 12 satellites.<ref>[https://spaceflightnow.com/2014/12/19/third-quartet-of-satellites-launched-for-o3b-networks/ ''Third quartet of satellites launched for O3b Networks''] Spaceflight Now, 19 December 2014, Retrieved 28 October 2020</ref> Four years later, four additional satellites were launched on 9 March 2018 on a [[Soyuz-2|Soyuz-2.1b]] rocket from the [[Guiana Space Centre|Centre Spatial Guyanais]].<ref>[https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/03/arianespace-soyuz-st-b-latest-o3b-launch/ Arianespace Soyuz ST-B launches latest O3b satellites], NASASpaceFlight.com, 9 March 2018, Retrieved 28 October 2020</ref> In December 2018, [[Thales Alenia Space]] said that tests on the final four O3b satellites would be completed by the end of January 2019<ref>[https://advanced-television.com/2018/12/19/thales-readies-4-satellites-for-o3b/ ''Thales readies 4 satellites for O3b''] Advanced Television, 19 December 2018, Retrieved 28 October 2020</ref> and the four satellites were successfully launched on 4 April 2019.<ref>[https://www.space.com/arianespace-soyuz-launches-4-ses-satellites.html ''Four New Satellites Ride Into Space To Join Growing SES Constellation''], SPACE.com, 4 April 2019, Retrieved 28 October 2020</ref>
In 2010, operators in the [[Cook Islands]],<ref>[http://www.o3bnetworks.com/media-centre/press-releases/2010/o3b-networks-and-telecom-cook-islands-sign-long-term-agreement-on-bandwidth-provision-for-internet-connectivity] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904134003/http://o3bnetworks.com/media-centre/press-releases/2010/o3b-networks-and-telecom-cook-islands-sign-long-term-agreement-on-bandwidth-provision-for-internet-connectivity|date=4 September 2012}} O3b Networks and Telecom Cook Islands Sign Long Term Agreement on Bandwidth Provision for Internet Connectivity</ref> [[Pakistan]]<ref>[http://o3bnetworks.com/media-centre/press-releases/2010/pak-datacom-limited-signs-exclusive-national-capacity-agreement-with-o3b-networks-to-deploy-high-speed-internet-to-pakistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210004620/http://o3bnetworks.com/media-centre/press-releases/2010/pak-datacom-limited-signs-exclusive-national-capacity-agreement-with-o3b-networks-to-deploy-high-speed-internet-to-pakistan|date=10 February 2013}} Pak Datacom Limited signs exclusive national capacity agreement with O3b Networks to deploy high-speed internet to [[Pakistan]]</ref> and [[Nigeria]]<ref>[http://www.o3bnetworks.com/media-centre/press-releases/2010/o3b-networks-signs-deal-with-netcom,-nigeria-to-provide-fast-and-reliable-connectivity-to-ships-and-offshore-platforms] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210004627/http://o3bnetworks.com/media-centre/press-releases/2010/o3b-networks-signs-deal-with-netcom,-nigeria-to-provide-fast-and-reliable-connectivity-to-ships-and-offshore-platforms|date=10 February 2013}} O3b Networks signs deal with Netcom, Nigeria to provide fast and reliable connectivity to ships and offshore platforms</ref> were among the first to prebook capacity on the O3b constellation to serve their respective markets.
In 2010, O3b announced the selection of Europe Media Port to be the first provider of Gateway Teleport services for O3b's global network<ref>[http://www.o3bnetworks.com/media-centre/press-releases/2010/o3b-selects-europe-media-port-(emp)-as-its-first-gateway-teleport-operator-for-new-high-capacity-data-network] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904210017/http://o3bnetworks.com/media-centre/press-releases/2010/o3b-selects-europe-media-port-(emp)-as-its-first-gateway-teleport-operator-for-new-high-capacity-data-network|date=4 September 2012}} O3b Selects Europe Media Port (EMP) as its First Gateway Teleport Operator for New High Capacity Data Network</ref> and a contract with [[Viasat, Inc.|Viasat]] for the production and installation of Ka-band infrastructure.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/mark-rigolle-chief-executive-officer-o3b-networks/ ''Interview with Mark Rigolle, Chief Executive Officer, O3B Networks''] SatNews, 29 March 2010, Retrieved 28 October 2020</ref>
In July 2014, SES Government Solutions (now [[SES (company)#Corporate structure|SES Space & Defense]]), a subsidiary of (then O3b investor, now owner) SES, received approval to offer O3b services on their [[General Services Administration]] (GSA) schedule allowing SES GS to be the first distribution partner to offer O3b capability directly to the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. Government]].<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=29 July 2014 |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-receives-approval-gsa-sell-o3b-services|title=SES Receives Approval from GSA to Sell O3b Services|access-date=28 October 2020}}</ref>
In November 2014, [[Quantum of the Seas|MS Quantum of the Seas]] became the first cruise ship to provide fast internet to guests through O3b Networks. The service is branded "Voom" by its cruise line, [[Royal Caribbean International]] and it was subsequently rolled out to every ship in their fleet.<ref>[http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2014-11-21/royal-caribbean-quantum-of-the-seas-smart-ship-technology ''Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas Wows with Smart Ship Technology''] Conde Nast Traveller, 21 November 2014, Accessed 28 October 2020</ref><ref>[http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/04/29/royal-caribbean-add-high-speed-internet-every-ship-the-fleet-may-1st  ''Royal Caribbean to add high speed internet to every ship in the fleet by May 1st''] Royal Caribbean, 29 April 2016, Accessed 28 October 2020</ref>
In August 2015, SES subsidiary, SES Government Solutions (now [[SES (company)#Corporate structure|SES Space & Defense]]) agreed on a one-year contract with US government scientific agency, [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA) to supply O3b services and ground equipment to the [[National Weather Service]] Office in [[American Samoa]], expanding NOAA's broadband connectivity outside the continental United States to provide weather, water, and climate data, and forecasts and warnings to American Samoa.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=17 August 2015|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/noaa-signs-first-us-government-deal-ses-o3b-high-throughput-solution |title=NOAA Signs First U.S. Government Deal With SES for O3b High Throughput Solution|access-date=28 October 2020}}</ref>
In August 2016, SES Government Solutions (now [[SES (company)#Corporate structure|SES Space & Defense]]) announced a contract to provide O3b's high throughput, low latency satellite communications for a [[United States Department of Defense|US Department of Defense]] end-user. The agreement is for a 365 days-per-year service consisting of a full-duplex symmetric 155&nbsp;Mbit/s link, gateway access, a transportable 2.4 metre terminal, terrestrial backhaul, and maintenance and installation services, with a latency of under 200 milliseconds per round trip. The contract also provides for additional capacity to meet surge requirements.<ref>[http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2016-08/38422099-ses-government-solutions-to-provide-the-us-government-with-a-high-performance-network-004.htm ''SES Government Solutions to Provide the US Government with a High-Performance Network''] FinanzNachrichten.de 29 August 2016. Accessed 30 August 2016</ref>
In September 2017, SES announced [[O3b mPOWER]], the next generation of MEO satellites to expand the capacity of the existing O3b constellation of (then) 12 satellites. Initially seven O3b mPOWER satellites were ordered from  [[Boeing Satellite Development Center|Boeing]] for launch in 2021 to provide flexible and scalable, low-latency satellite-based networks with terabits of throughput.<ref name="SES_PR">{{cite press release |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-opens-new-era-global-connectivity-o3b-mpower|title=SES opens new era in global connectivity with O3b mPOWER|publisher=SES|date=11 September 2017|access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref><ref>[https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/09/12/ses-orders-seven-satellites-from-boeing-to-help-meet-growing-broadband-demand/ ''SES orders seven satellites from Boeing to help meet growing broadband demand''], Spaceflight Now, 12 September 2017, Accessed 27 December 2022</ref>
In June 2018, the [[United States Department of Defense|US Department of Defense]] signed a single-award [[blanket order|blanket purchase agreement]] with SES Government Solutions (now [[SES (company)#Corporate structure|SES Space & Defense]]) for MEO high throughput, low latency satellite services including managed broadband services, gateway services, and monitoring and control services, to a maximum of US$516.7 million over a five-year period.<ref>[https://militaryembedded.com/comms/satellites/dod-signs-five-year-bpa-with-ses-for-medium-earth-orbit-satellite-services ''DoD signs five-year BPA with SES for medium Earth orbit satellite services''] Military Embedded Systems, 5 June 2018, Accessed 24 March 2021</ref>
In September 2019, SES became a [[Microsoft Azure]] ExpressRoute services partner to provide dedicated, private network connectivity from sea vessels, aircraft, and industrial or government sites anywhere in the world to the Azure [[cloud computing]] service, via both its geostationary satellites and O3b MEO satellites.<ref>[https://advanced-television.com/2019/09/09/ses-extends-reach-of-microsoft-azure-expressroute/ ''SES extends reach of Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute''] Advanced Television 9 September 2019. Accessed 28 October 2020</ref>
In August 2020 SES contracted [[Boeing Satellite Development Center|Boeing]] to build four [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites in addition to the seven ordered in 2017. [[SpaceX]] was contracted for additional launches, to make four launches for the whole O3b mPOWER constellation, expected in 2021–2024.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2020-08-07-Boeing-to-Build-Four-Additional-702X-Satellites-for-SES|title=Boeing to Build Four Additional 702X Satellites for SES's O3b mPOWER Fleet|work=Boeing |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="mP launch">[https://spacenews.com/ses-taps-spacex-for-two-additional-falcon-9-launches/ ''SES taps SpaceX for two additional Falcon 9 launches''] Space News. 20 August 2020. Accessed 27 January 2023</ref>
In September 2020, SES and Microsoft announced that SES was the [[medium Earth orbit]] connectivity partner for the [[Microsoft Azure#Azure Orbital|Microsoft Azure Orbital]] ground station service that enables network operators to control their satellite operations and capacity from within the Azure [[cloud computing]] service. Under their agreement, SES and Microsoft will jointly invest in Azure Orbital ground stations for the MEO and Earth Observation segments, initially in the United States, which will be installed and managed by SES. Also, satellite telemetry, tracking and control systems and data ground stations for the [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites will be located with Microsoft's Azure edge sites to provide O3b mPOWER customers with [[Multi-hop routing|"one-hop"]] access to Azure cloud services.<ref>[https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/introducing-azure-orbital-process-satellite-data-at-cloudscale/ ''Introducing Azure Orbital: Process satellite data at cloud-scale''] Microsoft, 22 September 2020, Accessed 28 October 2020</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-becomes-microsoft-azure-orbital-founding-connectivity-partner|title=SES Becomes Microsoft Azure Orbital Founding Connectivity Partner|date=22 September 2020|access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref>
In October 2020, international charity hospital ships provider, [[Mercy Ships]] announced it will be using SES's Signature Maritime connectivity services via O3b satellites to provide remote viewing and diagnosis, and remote training on board the [[MV Global Mercy|Global Mercy]], the world's largest civilian hospital ship.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/mobility/2020/10/16/ses-provides-connectivity-services-for-mercy-ships/ ''SES Provides Connectivity Services for Mercy Ships''] Via Satellite, 16 October 2020, Accessed 23 March 2021</ref>
In February 2021, SES announced two contracts with the [[United States Department of Defense|US Department of Defense]] as part of the June 2018 [[blanket order|blanket purchase agreement]]. One is for a portable O3b service to support forward-deployed military personnel<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2021/02/19/ses-government-solutions-wins-us-dod-maritime-deal-for-o3b/ ''Wins US DoD Maritime Deal for O3b''] Via Satellite, 19 February 2021, Accessed 24 March 2021</ref> and the second to provide O3b mission-critical communications without using a commercial gateway in remote locations in Southwest Asia, managed and controlled from an SES Network Operations Center.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/broadcasting/2021/02/22/ses-wins-slew-of-european-public-broadcast-deals/ ''SES Wins Slew of European Public Broadcast Deals''] Via Satellite, 22 February 2021, Accessed 24 March 2021</ref>
Also in February 2021, SES announced that its Signature Cruise broadband connectivity via O3b will be used on [[Virgin Voyages]]' latest ships Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady to provide passengers with
free fast onboard wi-fi internet access.<ref>[https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/virgin-invests-in-high-speed-satellite-communications-63804 ''Virgin invests in high-speed satellite communications''] Riviera, 24 February 2021, Accessed 24 March 2021</ref>
In June 2021, SES joined the [[Amazon Web Services]] Direct Connect Delivery Partner programme, using the O3b constellation (and SES' fleet of [[geostationary]] satellites) to provide customers access to AWS cloud-based applications and services from locations around the world with limited or no terrestrial communications, and to provide the cloud provider a backup network if their infrastructure fails.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/ses-strengthens-amazon-web-services-cloud-partnership/ ''SES strengthens Amazon Web Services cloud partnership''] SpaceNews. 18 June 2021. Accessed 28 June 2021</ref>
In August 2021, [[Microsoft]] became the first [[cloud computing|cloud]] provider customer for O3b, with Microsoft buying managed satellite connectivity services from SES for the [[Microsoft Azure]] cloud computing service. Microsoft is initially using the existing first generation O3b satellites, later upgrading to the faster broadband speeds from second generation [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/o3b-mpower-get-first-cloud-customer-on-track-for-launch-even-as-covid-19-issues-loom/ ''O3b mPOWER get first cloud customer, on track for launch even as COVID-19 issues loom''] SpaceNews. 17 August 2021. Accessed 2 September 2021</ref>
In December 2021, SES's wholly owned subsidiary SES Government Solutions (now [[SES (company)#Corporate structure|SES Space & Defense]]) announced that the US Army has conducted trials of commercial [[satellite constellation]]s in multiple orbits, including the O3b satellite system, as part of the effort to establish [[Reorganization plan of United States Army#Multi-domain operations (MDO)|Multi-Domain Operations]].<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2021/12/07/us-army-uses-ses-meo-technology-in-multi-orbit-tests/ ''US Army Uses SES MEO Technology in Multi-Orbit Tests''] Via Satellite. 7 December 2021. Accessed 31 December 2021</ref>
In December 2021, [[Honeywell]], [[Hughes Network Systems]] and SES demonstrated multi-orbit high-speed airborne connectivity for military customers using [[Honeywell JetWave|Honeywell's JetWave MCX]] terminal and a Hughes HM-series modem, and SES satellites in both [[medium Earth orbit]] (MEO) and [[geostationary orbit]] (GEO). The tests achieved full duplex data rates of more than 40 megabits per second via a number of SES' (GEO) satellites including [[GovSat-1]], and the O3b [[satellite constellation]], with connections moving between GEO/MEO links in under 30 sec.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2021/12/20/honeywell-ses-and-hughes-demonstrate-meo-to-geo-satellite-switching-for-military-customers/ ''Honeywell, SES, and Hughes Demonstrate MEO to GEO Satellite Switching for Military Customers''] Via Satellite. 20 December 2021. Accessed 31 January 2022</ref>
In May 2022, in conjunction with [[Kazakhstan]]i mobile network operator, [[Kcell]], SES used the O3b satellite constellation to demonstrate that MEO satellites could be used to provide high-speed [[3G]] and [[4G]] connectivity to remote regions of Kazakhstan for reliable video calling, conferencing and streaming, and web browsing, with a [[latency (engineering)|latency]] five times lower than on the existing platform based on [[geostationary orbit]] satellites.<ref>[https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2022/05/26/kcell-ses-demo-o3b-satellite-enabled-remote-mobile-services/ ''Kcell, SES demo O3b satellite-enabled remote mobile services''] Comms Update. 26 May 2022. Accessed 30 May 2022</ref><ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=25 May 2022 |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/kcell-and-ses-successfully-demonstrate-cellular-network-connectivity-kazakhstan|title=Kcell and SES Successfully Demonstrate Cellular Network connectivity in Kazakhstan|access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref>
On 16 December 2022, the first two of SES's next generation MEO satellite constellation, [[O3b mPOWER]] were successfully launched. The satellites will take approximately six months to reach their designated [[medium Earth orbit]] and for commissioning, and the O3b mPower service is expected to begin operations alongside the existing O3b constellation in Q3 2023.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-first-pair-of-o3b-mpower-satellites/ ''SpaceX launches first pair of O3b mPower satellites''] SpaceNews. 16 December 2022. Accessed 27 December 2022</ref> The second pair of O3b mPOWER satellites were successfully launched on 28 April 2023, by which time the first pair of satellites had reached medium Earth orbit and were undergoing in-orbit testing.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-second-set-of-o3b-mpower-satellites/ ''SpaceX launches second pair of O3b mPower satellites''] SpaceNews. 28 April 2023. Accessed 1 May 2023</ref>
== Satellites ==
The satellites are deployed in a circular orbit along the equator at an altitude of {{cvt|8063|km}} ([[medium Earth orbit]]) at a velocity of approximately {{cvt|11755|mi/h|km/h}}, each making 5 orbits a day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idirect.net/Company/Press-Room/Press-Releases/2008/Release-358.aspx|title=iDirect's Interoperability with O3b's MEO Satellite System|year=2008|access-date=31 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811010152/http://www.idirect.net/Company/Press-Room/Press-Releases/2008/Release-358.aspx|archive-date=11 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Due to problems with a component of the first four satellites launched, three of those four have been placed on standby.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.n2yo.com/satellites/?c=43|title=O3B NETWORKS SATELLITES|access-date=13 November 2019}}</ref>
Each satellite is equipped with twelve fully steerable [[Ka band|Ka-band]] antennas (two beams for gateways, ten beams for remotes) that use 4.3 [[Hertz|GHz]] of spectrum (2 × 216&nbsp;MHz per beam) with a proposed throughput of 1.6&nbsp;[[Gbit]]/s per beam (800&nbsp;[[Mbit/s]] per direction),<ref name="ITU_presentation">{{cite web|url=http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/asp/CMS/Events/2009/PacMinForum/doc/PPT_Theme-2_O3bNetworks.pdf|title=O3b Networks Presentation|publisher=O3b Networks|work=presentation|date=23 February 2009|access-date=9 January 2013}}</ref> resulting in a total capacity of 16&nbsp;Gbit/s per satellite.
Each beam's footprint measures {{cvt|700|km}} in diameter.<ref name="o3b_our-technology">{{cite web|url=http://www.o3bnetworks.com/o3b-advantage/our-technology|title=O3b website – Our technology|access-date=9 January 2013|publisher=O3b Networks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317220715/http://www.o3bnetworks.com/o3b-advantage/our-technology|archive-date=17 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> O3b claims a mouth-to-ear one-way [[latency (engineering)|latency]] of 179 milliseconds for voice communication, and an end-to-end round-trip latency of 140 ms for data services. The maximum throughput per TCP connection is 2.1&nbsp;Mbit/s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why Latency Matters to Mobile Backhaul|url=http://www.o3bnetworks.com/media/45606/o3b_latency_mobile%20backhaul_130417.pdf|publisher=O3b Networks and Sofrecom|date=18 April 2013 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118044646/http://o3bnetworks.com/media/45606/o3b_latency_mobile%20backhaul_130417.pdf|archive-date=18 November 2013}}</ref> For maritime applications, O3b claims a round-trip latency of 140 ms, and connectivity speeds of over 500&nbsp;Mbit/s.<ref>{{cite web|title=O3b Maritime|url=http://www.o3bnetworks.com/media/60982/o3b_maritime_brochure.pdf |publisher=O3b Networks|date=18 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024025342/http://o3bnetworks.com/media/60982/o3b_maritime_brochure.pdf|archive-date=24 October 2012}}</ref>
The satellites are powered by [[gallium arsenide]] [[Solar panels on spacecraft|solar arrays]] and [[Lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion batteries]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.o3bnetworks.com/spacevehicle.html |title=O3b Networks: Space Vehicle|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219201829/http://o3bnetworks.com/spacevehicle.html|archive-date=19 February 2009}}</ref> and weigh approximately {{cvt|700|kg}} each.<ref name="Launch"/>
The satellites were constructed by [[Thales Alenia Space]], a division of [[Thales Group]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.o3bnetworks.com/Advantages/advantages.html|title=O3b Networks: Advantage|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303154852/http://www.o3bnetworks.com/Advantages/advantages.html|archive-date=3 March 2011}}</ref> The first satellite (PFM) was built in the [[Cannes Mandelieu Space Center]], while the rest of the constellation was assembled, integrated and tested in Thales Alenia Space Italy's Roman facilities.
In September 2017, SES announced the next generation of O3b satellites and placed an order for an initial seven from [[Boeing Satellite Development Center|Boeing Satellite Systems]] using a new satellite platform based on [[Boeing 702|Boeing's 702]] line of scalable buses. Expected to launch in 2021, the [[O3b mPOWER]] constellation of [[medium Earth orbit]] (MEO) satellites for broadband internet services will "be able to deliver anywhere from hundreds of megabits to 10 gigabits to any ship at sea" through 30,000 spot beams. Software-defined routing will direct traffic between the mPOWER MEO satellites and SES' [[geostationary]] fleet.<ref>[http://spacenews.com/ses-building-a-10-terabit-o3b-mpower-constellation/ ''SES building a 10-terabit O3b "mPOWER" constellation''] Space News 11 September 2017. Accessed 31 October 2017</ref> In August 2020, SES contracted [[Boeing Satellite Development Center|Boeing]] to build four additional O3b mPOWER satellites and [[SpaceX]] was contracted for an additional two launches, to make four launches for the whole O3b mPOWER constellation in 2022–2024.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2020-08-07-Boeing-to-Build-Four-Additional-702X-Satellites-for-SES|title=Boeing to Build Four Additional 702X Satellites for SES's O3b mPOWER Fleet|publisher=Boeing|date=7 August 2020|access-date=20 August 2020}}</ref><ref>[https://spacenews.com/ses-taps-spacex-for-two-additional-falcon-9-launches/ ''SES taps SpaceX for two additional Falcon 9 launches''], SpaceNews, 20 August 2020, Accessed 20 August 2020</ref><ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2021/12/30/top-satellite-launches-to-watch-in-2022/ ''Top Satellite Launches to Watch in 2022''] Via Satellite. 30 December 2021. Accessed 27 January 2022</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=4 November 2021 |title=SES YTD 2021 Results |url=https://www.ses.com/sites/default/files/2021-11/Q3_2021_Press_Release.pdf |access-date=27 January 2022 |work=[[SES (company)|SES]] |page=4}}</ref>
== List of satellites ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!NORAD ID
!Int'l Code
!Launch Date
!Launch Vehicle
!Period (min)
|-
|O3B PFM
|39191
|2013-031D
|25 June 2013
|Soyuz ST-B (VS05)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM2
|39190
|2013-031C
|25 June 2013
|Soyuz ST-B (VS05)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM3
|40082
|2014-038D
|10 July 2014
|Soyuz ST-B (VS08)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM4
|39189
|2013-031B
|25 June 2013
|Soyuz ST-B (VS05)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM5
|39188
|2013-031A
|25 June 2013
|Soyuz ST-B (VS05)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM6
|40080
|2014-038B
|10 July 2014
|Soyuz ST-B (VS08)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM7
|40081
|2014-038C
|10 July 2014
|Soyuz ST-B (VS08)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM8
|40079
|2014-038A
|10 July 2014
|Soyuz ST-B (VS08)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM9
|40351
|2014-083D
|18 December 2014
|Soyuz ST-B (VS10)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM10
|40348
|2014-083A
|18 December 2014
|Soyuz ST-B (VS10)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM11
|40349
|2014-083B
|18 December 2014
|Soyuz ST-B (VS10)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM12
|40350
|2014-083C
|18 December 2014
|Soyuz ST-B (VS10)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM13
|43234
|2018-024D
|9 March 2018
|Soyuz ST-B (VS18)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM14
|43233
|2018-024C
|9 March 2018
|Soyuz ST-B (VS18)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM15
|43231
|2018-024A
|9 March 2018
|Soyuz ST-B (VS18)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM16
|43232
|2018-024B
|9 March 2018
|Soyuz ST-B (VS18)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM17
|44114
|2019-020C
|4 April 2019
|Soyuz ST-B (VS22)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM18
|44115
|2019-020D
|4 April 2019
|Soyuz ST-B (VS22)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM19
|44113
|2019-020B
|4 April 2019
|Soyuz ST-B (VS22)
|287.9
|-
|O3B FM20
|44112
|2019-020A
|4 April 2019
|Soyuz ST-B (VS22)
|287.9
|}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.n2yo.com/satellites/?c=43|title=O3B Networks satellites|website=www.n2yo.com|access-date=14 November 2019}}</ref>
== Use of medium Earth orbit ==
O3b MEO is currently the only [[high-throughput satellite]] (HTS) system for [[Satellite Internet access|internet services]] to use the medium Earth orbit; most other existing and proposed systems use satellites in either [[geosynchronous orbit]] (GEO) or [[low Earth orbit]] (LEO). Although previous satellite internet services primarily used geosynchronous satellites (SES has four geostationary HTS in orbit – [[Astra 2E]], [[SES-12]], [[SES-14]] and [[SES-15]]), demand for increased bandwidth and for lower [[Latency (engineering)|latency]] has shifted the focus for HTS to lower orbits.<ref name=M&C>[https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/aerospace-and-defense/our-insights/large-leo-satellite-constellations-will-it-be-different-this-time ''Large LEO satellite constellations: Will it be different this time?''] McKinsey & Company, 4 May 2020, Accessed 29 October 2020</ref> The lower the altitude of the orbit, the closer the satellite is to the Earth and the lower the latency and [[path loss]]es (enabling lower ground station and satellite power, and costs for the same throughput)<ref name=SEG>[https://www.satelliteevolutiongroup.com/articles/LEO-Constellations&Tracking.pdf ''LEO constellations and tracking challenges''] Satellite Evolution Group, September 2017, Accessed 30 October 2020</ref> The [[propagation delay]] for a round-trip [[Internet protocol suite|internet protocol]] transmission via a geosynchronous satellite can be over 550 ms, and such latency is the bane of digital connectivity, in particular for automated stock trades, hardcore gaming and [[Skype]] video chats.<ref name=TS>[https://www.telesat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Real-Time-Latency-Rethinking-Remote-Networks.pdf ''Real-Time Latency: Rethinking Remote Networks''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721082728/https://www.telesat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Real-Time-Latency-Rethinking-Remote-Networks.pdf |date=21 July 2021 }} Telesat, February 2020, Accessed 31 October 2020</ref><ref name=SN>[https://spacenews.com/divining-what-the-stars-hold-in-store-for-broadband-megaconstellations/ ''LEO and MEO broadband constellations mega source of consternation''] SpaceNews, 13 March 2018, Accessed 29 October 2020</ref> So, many proposed non-geosynchronous satellite internet services have adopted a low Earth orbit of under 2000&nbsp;km altitude<ref name=SN/> where latency can be as little 40ms,<ref>[https://www.omniaccess.com/leo/ ''Low Earth Orbit satellites, improving latency''] OmniAccess, Accessed 29 October 2020</ref> and by 2018 more than 18,000 new LEO satellites had been proposed to launch by 2025.<ref>[http://www.satnews.com/story.php?number=257303683 ''NSR Reports China's Ambitious Constellation of 300 Small Satellites in LEO''] SatNews, 8 March 2018, Accessed 30 October 2020</ref>
However, a lower orbit also has drawbacks; satellites move faster relative to the ground and can "see" a smaller area of the [[Earth]], and so for continuous widespread access require a [[satellite internet constellation|constellation]] of many satellites, with complex constellation management and tracking by the ground stations.<ref name=M&C/><ref name=SN/> Medium Earth orbit, although higher in altitude than LEO is nevertheless much lower than geosynchronous orbit and so shares many of the advantages of LEO while reducing its drawbacks:<ref>[http://www.ing.unisannio.it/labtlc/ghidini/LEO-MEO-GEO.pdf ''Satellites: LEO, MEO & GEO''] Atlanta RF, Accessed 29 October 2020</ref><ref name=SEG/><ref>[http://interactive.satellitetoday.com/via/march-2019/the-gravity-of-space-debris/ ''The Gravity of Space Debris''] Via Satellite. March 2019, Accessed 31 October 2020</ref><ref name=TS/>
* Latency as low as 125ms – longer than LEO but substantial improvement over GEO satellites
* Longer orbital period than LEO – a smaller constellation needed for continuous "visibility"
* Cheaper and simpler [[Spacecraft design#Telemetry, tracking, and command|telemetry, tracking and control]] systems than LEO
* Higher "look angle" from the ground than LEOs
* Longer service life expectancy than LEO satellites
* Reduced [[Doppler effect|Doppler shift]] problem than LEO
* Less orbital overcrowding and space debris than LEO
== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
* [[SES (company)|SES]]
* [[O3b Networks]]
* [[O3b mPOWER]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Satellite constellations}}
{{Orbital launches in 2013}}
{{Orbital launches in 2014}}
{{Orbital launches in 2018}}
[[Category:Communications satellite constellations]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 2013]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 2014]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 2018]]
[[Category:First artificial satellites of a country]]
[[Category:SES (company)]]
[[Category:Satellites of Luxembourg]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched by Soyuz-2 rockets]]