Cape Canaveral, Florida — July 22, 2025. Two more Boeing-built O3b mPOWER satellites have successfully launched, strengthening the SES Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellation and reinforcing the delivery of high-throughput, low-latency connectivity across the globe. The satellites, now transmitting signals from space, lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 17:12 EDT and separated from the launch vehicle approximately two hours later.
The 9th and 10th satellites in the series are now undergoing post-launch health checks by Boeing engineers at the company’s El Segundo, California facility — the world’s largest satellite factory. Using efficient xenon propulsion systems, the pair will spend the next 130 days travelling to their final orbital slot approximately 8,000 km above Earth.
“Each additional satellite beyond the first six boosts capacity, performance, and resilience,” said Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems. “This capability stems from our investments in cutting-edge technology and the enhanced production techniques we’ve refined over the course of the program.”
The O3b mPOWER constellation, which entered commercial service in April 2024, now comprises ten satellites designed to provide high-performance internet-like connectivity to nearly 95% of the world’s population. Services extend across multiple sectors including telecommunications, aviation, maritime, and defence, with key users such as NATO, the Governments of the United States and Luxembourg, and numerous allied nations already benefitting.
SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh praised the milestone: “With this launch we continue adding incremental capacity to our initial O3b mPOWER constellation, strengthening our MEO network and delivering high throughput and predictable low latency services at scale.”
The constellation’s digitally steered beams can adapt dynamically to geographic and customer-specific demand. The same Boeing-developed technology has been adapted for hardened military use in the U.S. Space Force’s Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-11 and WGS-12) and Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) programs, providing enhanced protection against jamming and interception.
This launch not only highlights the growing role of software-defined satellites in commercial and defence communications, but also reflects Boeing’s broader aerospace leadership. With operations in more than 150 countries, Boeing continues to develop and deliver integrated space and defence systems for a globally
SOURCE: PR NEWSWIRE IMAGE©: Fifth pair of O3b mPOWER satellites are encapsulated ahead of launch (photo courtesy of SpaceX).
