C-Band Replacements SES-18, -19 Set for March Launch

The launch of C-band replacement satellites SES-18 and -19 was expected this year but now is scheduled for sometime between March 6 and 12, SES said Friday in docket 18-122. The launch was delayed by a holdup from the original Northrop Grumman delivery and the priority of U.S. government launches, SES said. SES-18 and -19 should commence operations by April's end, it said. It said SES-21, launched in October, began service on Dec. 1 and services are being transitioned to it. SES-20 is on track to arrive at its orbital slot by month's end, and it will be an in-orbit spare. SES said it's about 68% of the way through phase two of the C-band relocation satellite transitions, with its installers having complete installation of blue bandpass filters at about 65% of the earth station locations associated with its satellites, it said. It said close to 100% of the antennas associated with its second-phase transition schedule have been installed.