SES Selects United
Launch Alliance to Launch Two C-Band Satellites
to accelerate C-Band clearing
Aug. 5, 2020
SES has selected U.S.-based
United Launch Alliance (ULA) to launch two
C-band satellites. This launch is part of the
company's accelerated C-band clearing plan to
meet the Federal Communications Commission's
objectives to roll out 5G services in the United
States. ULA's Atlas V rocket will launch from
Cape Canaveral, Florida in 2022 and carry the
two stacked satellites.
Earlier this year, SES
contracted with American companies Northrop
Grumman and the Boeing Company to deliver four
C-band satellites. These satellites will enable
SES to clear 280MHz of mid-band spectrum for 5G
use while seamlessly migrating SES's existing
C-band customers and ensuring the continued
delivery of digital television to nearly 120
million American TV homes and other critical
data services. ULA will launch the two C-band
satellites manufactured by Boeing.
SES is investing in America
through its C-band transition plan and its work
with large and small businesses across the
country and its selection of Atlas V, an
American launch vehicle launched from the
American soil underlines that commitment.
"Clearing mid-band spectrum
expeditiously while protecting cable
neighborhoods across America is a huge
undertaking and one that requires partners that
can deliver mission success and schedule
assurance," said Steve Collar, CEO at SES. "We
are thrilled to be working with ULA again and
partnering to meet the FCC's ambitious timeline
for the accelerated clearing of C-band
spectrum."
"We are pleased SES selected ULA and our proven Atlas V for this important commercial launch service," said Tory Bruno, ULA's president and CEO. "Atlas V is known for its unmatched level of schedule certainty and reliability and this launch is critical to the timely clearing of C-band spectrum, empowering America's accelerated implementation of 5G. ULA's legacy of performance, precision and mission design flexibility allow us to deliver a tailored launch service that minimizes orbit raising time and perfectly meet our customer's requirements. We are thrilled to provide this optimized launch solution to SES for this crucial launch.