SpaceX F9 - Galaxy 31+32 - SLC-40

[Grendal]

Launch Date: November 12
Launch Window: 11:06am EST (8:06am PST, 16:06 UTC) - 2 hour window
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
Core Booster Recovery: N/A
Booster: B1051.14
Fairings: Reused likely
Mass: 3600 kg each - 7200 kg (15,873 lbs.)
Orbit: GTO
Yearly Launch Number: 52nd

Booster B1051.14 will be expended as part of this launch. It will be launched without legs or grid fins.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32 commercial communications satellites for Intelsat. Built by Maxar Technologies, Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32 will be positioned in geostationary orbit to provide C-band video and television broadcast services in the United States.

Galaxy 31, 32, 35, 36

Galaxy 31, Galaxy 32, Galaxy 35, and Galaxy 36 are four C-band only communications satellites owned by Intelsat.

space.skyrocket.de

 

[Cosmacelf]

Galaxy 31, 32, 35, 36

Galaxy 31, Galaxy 32, Galaxy 35, and Galaxy 36 are four C-band only communications satellites owned by Intelsat.

space.skyrocket.de

A lot to parse from that link:

The satellites are for C-band services, mainly television broadcasting, that satellite operators will have to conduct with less C-band airwaves in the United States after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission auctions 300 megahertz of the spectrum for use in cellular 5G networks.

If Intelsat can clear its customers from the 300-megahertz swath by Dec. 5, 2023, it will receive $4.87 billion in accelerated clearing payments through the FCC, which said it will require spectrum bidders to make those payments for advanced access to the spectrum. That’s two years faster than the FCC’s mandatory deadline for satellite operators to leave the spectrum.

Intelsat has cited the urgent need to fund replacement C-band satellites and other infrastructure for the FCC’s accelerated clearing program as one of the reasons it filed for bankruptcy protection.

The satellites Maxar will build are named Galaxy-31, Galaxy-32, Galaxy-35 and Galaxy-36; the satellites from Northrop Grumman are named Galaxy-33 and Galaxy-34. All six are expected to be ready for launch in 2022.

Intelsat said it is negotiating with manufacturers for a seventh satellite that, once described as a possible need, is now “required” for its C-band transition. This satellite, called Galaxy 37 was ordered in September 2020 from Maxar.

First, Intelsat filed for bankruptcy? Yes they did, and recently emerged out of chapter 11 with half their debt and payments from the FCC to move out of the lower portion of the 3.7-4.2 GHz C-band to make room for 5G.

Second, I wonder how the new satellite spectrum wars will shape up? Both Starlink and 5G want to use the really high frequencies now (between 10 Ghz to 100 Ghz) so there will be competition there.

Third, I guess this is what SpaceX is going to do with their old boosters - just use them on expendable missions. SpaceX is so efficient...

 

[Grendal]

First post updated.

And since we're losing B1051, here is a repeat of its first historic launch:

B1051 previously supported the launches of Demo-1, RADARSAT, SXM-7, and 10 Starlink missions (v1.0-3, v1.0-6, v1.0-9, v1.0-13, v1.0-16, v1.0-21, v1.0-27, Group 4-4, Group 4-12, and Group 4-22).

 

[EVCollies]

First post updated.

And since we're losing B1051, here is a repeat of its first historic launch:

B1051 previously supported the launches of Demo-1, RADARSAT, SXM-7, and 10 Starlink missions (v1.0-3, v1.0-6, v1.0-9, v1.0-13, v1.0-16, v1.0-21, v1.0-27, Group 4-4, Group 4-12, and Group 4-22).

Glad you posted at 10:51...

 

[Grendal]

Pushed out four days.

The mini hurricane...

 

[Grendal]

 

[HVM]

On Saturday, November 12 at 11:06 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched the Intelsat G-31/G-32 mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
This was the fourteenth launch of this booster, which previously supported Dragon’s first crew demonstration mission, the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, SXM-7, and 10 Starlink missions.

SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.

www.spacex.com

 

[ecarfan]

So strange to see an F9 booster without legs or grid fins. But 14 missions in total!

Impressive performance in expendable mode.

At stage sep, altitude about 77km, speed 9,278kmh

The recent Eutelsat mission, also expended booster and GTO, stage sep was at 69km, speed 8,213kmh.

 

[HVM]

Intelsat Announces Successful Launch of Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32 Satellites | Intelsat

Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32, geosynchronous communications satellites that will ensure service continuity to Intelsat’s North American media customers.

www.intelsat.com

Galaxy 31 separated from the vehicle at 11:46 a.m. EST, and Intelsat confirmed its signal acquisition at 11:59 a.m. EST. Galaxy 32 separated from the vehicle at 11:41 a.m. EST, and Intelsat confirmed its signal acquisition at 11:50 a.m. EST.

 

[MyJoule]

That was quite the boost from the Falcon 9 in expendable mode. Looked to me like it ran another ~ 11 seconds more than it does on a starlink launch. That’s a lot more velocity
I was sort of sad though. It was so strange seeing a Falcon 9 without legs. This booster was like an old friend it had provided so much entertainment to us mere earthlings . So long old friend, B1051, you had a good life.
And as usual. Way to go SpaceX, keep on making it look easy even though it’s super hard !

 

[Grendal]

That was quite the boost from the Falcon 9 in expendable mode. Looked to me like it ran another ~ 11 seconds more than it does on a starlink launch. That’s a lot more velocity
I was sort of sad though. It was so strange seeing a Falcon 9 without legs. This booster was like an old friend it had provided so much entertainment to us mere earthlings . So long old friend, B1051, you had a good life.

Next up on the "Expendables" list is the current oldest Block 5: B1049. Which did manage to break the ten launch record.