# SES-10

> geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q18483436](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18483436)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SES-10)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ses-10

## Summary
SES-10 is a geostationary communications satellite launched in 2017, designed to provide telecommunications services. It was built by Airbus Defence and Space and operated by SES S.A., replacing older satellites AMC-3 and AMC-4. The satellite entered service in May 2017, supporting Latin American coverage.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Geostationary communications satellite
- **Launch Date**: March 30, 2017, at 22:27 UTC from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
- **Launch Vehicle**: Falcon 9 Full Thrust (Booster B1021.2)
- **Manufacturer**: Airbus Defence and Space
- **Operator**: SES S.A. (Luxembourg)
- **Mass**: 5,300 kg (launch weight)
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Eurostar E3000
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit
- **Service Entry**: May 15, 2017
- **Replaced**: AMC-3 and AMC-4
- **Power Source**: Two spacecraft solar arrays

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the SES-10 satellite?
A: SES-10 was a geostationary communications satellite designed to provide telecommunications services, particularly for Latin America, replacing older satellites AMC-3 and AMC-4.

### Q: Who launched SES-10, and when?
A: SES-10 was launched on March 30, 2017, by SpaceX using a Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.

### Q: What was the mass of SES-10 at launch?
A: SES-10 had a launch mass of 5,300 kilograms.

### Q: Which company built SES-10?
A: SES-10 was built by Airbus Defence and Space.

### Q: When did SES-10 become operational?
A: SES-10 entered service on May 15, 2017, after a successful launch and testing phase.

## Why It Matters
SES-10 played a crucial role in expanding telecommunications infrastructure, particularly in Latin America. As a geostationary satellite, it provided stable, high-bandwidth connectivity for broadcasting, internet services, and other communications needs. By replacing older satellites like AMC-3 and AMC-4, it improved coverage and reliability for SES customers. The satellite’s launch marked a significant achievement for both SES and SpaceX, demonstrating the capabilities of commercial spaceflight. Its operational success highlighted the growing importance of geostationary satellites in modern communications networks.

## Notable For
- **First Commercial Use of Falcon 9 Full Thrust**: SES-10 was one of the first major payloads launched by SpaceX’s upgraded Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket.
- **Replacement of Older Satellites**: It succeeded AMC-3 and AMC-4, enhancing coverage and performance for SES’s Latin American customers.
- **Eurostar E3000 Bus**: Built on Airbus’s Eurostar E3000 platform, known for its reliability and efficiency in satellite design.
- **Geostationary Orbit**: Positioned in a geostationary orbit, providing continuous coverage over a fixed region.
- **Operational Milestone**: Entered service in May 2017, marking a key date in SES’s satellite fleet modernization.

## Body
### Overview
SES-10 is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SES S.A., a Luxembourg-based company. It was launched on March 30, 2017, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A. The satellite entered service on May 15, 2017, replacing the older AMC-3 and AMC-4 satellites.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 5,300 kg at launch.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Eurostar E3000, a platform known for its robustness and efficiency.
- **Power**: Two spacecraft solar arrays provide energy.
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit, ensuring fixed coverage over a specific region.

### Launch and Deployment
- **Launch Vehicle**: Falcon 9 Full Thrust (Booster B1021.2).
- **Launch Site**: Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.
- **Launch Date**: March 30, 2017, at 22:27 UTC.

### Operator and Manufacturer
- **Operator**: SES S.A., a leading global satellite operator.
- **Manufacturer**: Airbus Defence and Space, a major aerospace company.

### Replacement and Service
- **Replaced**: AMC-3 and AMC-4, older satellites with limited capabilities.
- **Service Entry**: May 15, 2017, marking the start of operational use.

### Significance
SES-10 was a critical addition to SES’s satellite fleet, improving telecommunications services, particularly in Latin America. Its launch demonstrated the reliability of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and the capabilities of the Eurostar E3000 platform. The satellite’s operational success underscored the importance of geostationary communications in modern infrastructure.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ses-10.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](http://www.satellitetoday.com/broadcasting/2017/05/15/ses-10-satellite-now-operational-latin-america/)