SES-12

Mission: The SES-12 satellite will expand SES’s capabilities to provide direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting, VSAT, Mobility and High Throughput Satellite (HTS) data connectivity services in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region, including rapidly growing markets such as India and Indonesia. The satellite will replace NSS-6 at this location and will be co-located with SES-8. SES-12 is capable of supporting requirements in multiple verticals from Cyprus in the West to Japan in the East, and from Russia in the North to Australia in the South.

Rocket: The Falcon 9 rocket is a partly reusable rocket designed and built by SpaceX. It has 2 stages and can deliver 22,800 kilograms (50,300 lb) to low Earth orbit, and up to 8,300 kg (18,300 lb) to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), when flying in expendable mode. The first stage can be recovered after separation with the second stage of the rocket on missions delivering a cargo of up to 5,500 kg (12,100 lb) to GTO. The first launch of the Falcon 9 was on June 2010. The first stage of the rocket can be recovered and reused (on version Full Thrust or later). This will be the 56th launch of the Falcon 9 and there will be no attempt to land the first stage. The rocket measures 70 metres and weighs 549,054kg (1,207,920 lb) fully loaded. Its diameter is 3.7 meters. It produces 7,607kN (1,710,000 lbf) at sea level (only the first stage).

First Stage: The first stage measures 41.2 meters and 47.7 with the interstage. It has 9 Merlin engines forming an Octaweb. It uses RP-1 (kerosene) and LOX (liquid Oxygen) on a super chill state. It burns for about 162 seconds before it separates from the second stage. On some versions and some missions, the first stage lands on either a droneship on the ocean or landing zones on land after a series of burns. It has landed 25 times.

Second Stage: The second stage measures 13.8 meters. It has 1 Merlin 1D+ engine adapted for the vacuum of space, producing 934 kN (210,000 Ibf). It burns for approximately 397 seconds. It also uses RP-1 (kerosene) and LOX (liquid oxygen) on a super chilled state (deep cryo) for more density in the tanks.

Fairing: The fairing measures 5.2 meters in diameter and 13.1 meters in height.

Dragon Capsule: This capsule is designed to deliver cargo or humans to the ISS. It can deliver 6,000kg(13,228 lbs) and return 3,000kg (6,614 lbs). It will start delivering humans to the ISS sometimes in 2018. It performs a soft landing on the ocean after deploying 3 parachutes.

Cost: The Falcon 9 costs 60 million US$ expendable and 50 million US$ reusable.