On March 9, 2018 at 20:10:06 Moscow time, Soyuz-ST-B launch vehicle successfully lifted off from Guiana Space Center Cosmodrome. The launch mission is to deliver 4 O3b satellites to their target orbits.

According the flight program, the first three stages of Soyuz-ST-B launcher have taken the ascent unit into low orbit just short of nine minutes and twenty-three seconds after liftoff. From this point in the mission, the Fregat-MT upper stage performed planned mission maneuvers to advance the satellites to their planned orbits. Separation of the four O3b MEO satellites has been confirmed at scheduled time on scheduled orbits. Russian launch vehicle Soyuz-ST-B and Fregat-MT upper stage fully performed their missions.

This 18th Soyuz launch from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana is the fourth performed for the O3b MEO fleet, following the deployment in 2013 and 2014 of the constellation’s first 12 satellites.

The new Ka-band satellites will join the existing O3b constellation to deliver high-speed connectivity to people and businesses in the growing mobility, fixed data and government markets. By scaling efficiently its MEO fleet, SES is adding 38% more capacity across the globe and growing the addressable market from 45 to 50 degrees north and south latitude.

The four O3b MEO satellites orbited on VS18 will enable SES Networks to offer more capacity, enhanced coverage, increased efficiencies and greater reliability while delivering carrier-grade services including MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0 certified services to telecommunications operators, mobile network operators (MNOs), enterprises, Internet service providers (ISPs) and government customers.