Swedish satcom service provider, Ovzon, has achieved a major milestone with the successful launch of its first fully owned satellite, Ovzon 3, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and is now on its way to geostationary orbit.
Manufactured by Maxar Technologies, Ovzon 3 is currently utilizing onboard electric propulsion to climb to its designated orbital slot. Once the satellite reaches its destination, it is expected to offer mobile connectivity services by the middle of this year, pending successful health checks in space.
The journey to launch Ovzon 3 was not without its challenges. Initially planned to be launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy in 2021, Ovzon switched to Arianespace due to a more favorable offer. However, production issues caused delays, ultimately leading to the mission being moved back to SpaceX, with the successful launch finally taking place on January 3, 2024.
In order to meet its service deadline, Ovzon had to secure extensions from international regulators. Following the successful launch, the deadline was extended to July 4, 2024. The company primarily provides broadband services to government clients across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. With the deployment of its own satellite, Ovzon sees opportunities to expand its services across Europe, making it the first privately funded Swedish company to deploy a commercial geostationary spacecraft.
Ovzon 3 is equipped with advanced features, including five steerable beams and a reprogrammable onboard processor. These capabilities allow remote satellite terminals to operate independently, meeting the high demands of government customers.
The successful launch of Ovzon 3 also marked SpaceX’s second launch of the year and the 10th flight for Falcon 9’s first stage booster. Notably, the booster successfully returned for future reuse, showcasing the ongoing advancements in rocket technology.
Ovzon’s achievement in launching its own satellite signifies a significant milestone for the company and the Swedish space industry as a whole. With plans to expand its services and cater to government clients worldwide, Ovzon is poised to continue making waves in the satellite communications sector.
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