SES-18 (55970)

COSPAR: 2023-038A | Alt Name: SES 18

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

March 17, 2023

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

LC40

Launch Vehicle

Falcon 9

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

55970

International Designator

2023-038A

Epoch

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 14:38:38 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

0.04°

Right Ascension

247.97°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

306.80°

Period

1436.11 min

Mean Motion

1.00 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot

3D Visualization

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Geostar-3 bus SES Luxembourg satellites Payloads

Basic Satellite Info

Name

SES-18

Alternative Name

SES 18

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

SESSA

Country

Luxembourg

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 55970U 23038A   26200.61016970 -.00000105  00000+0  00000+0 0  9997

2 55970   0.0422 247.9686 0000802 306.8015 219.1764 01.00270741 12422

Source: Celestrak

Summary

SES-18, also known as SES 18, is a communication satellite owned by SESSA and manufactured by NGISD. Launched on March 17, 2023, from LC40 at AFETR using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle, it reached its stable orbit on March 18, 2023. The spacecraft has dimensions of 5 meters in length, 2.5 meters in diameter, and a span of 23 meters. Its dry mass is 1,139 kilograms with a total launch mass of 3,605 kilograms. SES-18 is equipped with 10 C-band transponders for communication purposes and two deployable solar arrays along with batteries for power generation. The satellite's design includes a box shape with two panels and utilizes a BT-4 motor for propulsion. It has an operational lifetime of 15 years, fueled to support more than 16 years of operation.

Physical Characteristics

Length

Diameter

2.5

Span

Dry Mass

1139

Launch Mass

3605

Shape

Box + 2 pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

SES-18

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

NGISD

Life Expectancy

15 years (fueled for >16 years)

Bus

Geostar-3

Configuration

GEOStar-3

Motor

BT-4

Equipment

10 C-band transponders

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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Longitude

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