NileSat 301 launch date confirmed
May 20, 2022
By Chris Forrester
SpaceX will launch the geostationary communications satellite NilesSat 301 on a Falcon 9 rocket on June 10th, subject to the usual weather considerations. Launch will take place from Cape Canaveral at 1am (Florida time).
SpaceX says that at the request of the customer, the satellite will be inserted into a higher orbit that will need the booster to be expended. This means there will not be a landing of the first stage booster.
The contract was signed back in January 2020 and at that time the satellite (built by Thales Alenia Space) was expected to be launched somewhat earlier in 2022. However, Covid got in the way, hence the delay.
The satellite is based on the Spacebus 4000-B2 platform and will weigh about four metric tons at launch and offers a design life exceeding 15 years.
Positioned at 7° West, NileSat-301 will work with NileSat-201 to provide Ku-band services for the Middle East and North Africa. NileSat-301 will also help extend the company’s provision of Ku-band communications and direct digital broadcasting services in two new large regions of Africa, while also providing broadband Ka-band connectivity over all of Egypt.