SES 22 is a geostationary satellite operated by Luxembourg-based SES at orbital position 139.0° W. The satellite operates exclusively in the C-band and is targeted at commercial and corporate clients across North America, Central America, the Caribbean Basin and the northern part of South America. According to the sathub database, 12 active transponders and 89 channels are registered at this orbital position.
Launch and Technical Platform
SES 22 was launched into orbit in 2023 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The satellite is built on the SSL 1300 platform manufactured by Maxar Technologies — one of the most widely used and proven geostationary platforms in the industry. The design lifetime is 15 years. The mission was designed to replace ageing SES satellites at position 139° W and increase bandwidth capacity for existing clients.
Coverage Areas and Reception
The satellite generates several regional C-band beams. For subscribers within the coverage area, the standard antenna diameter ranges from 1.8 to 3.0 metres depending on the region and signal quality requirements. In practice, even in the centre of the coverage area, the C-band requires larger diameter antennas than Ku-band — this should be taken into account when designing a receiving station.
| Beam | Coverage | Antenna Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| North America | USA, Canada | 1.8–2.4 m |
| Central America | Mexico, Central America | 2.4 m |
| Caribbean | Caribbean Basin | 2.4 m |
| Northern South America | Colombia, Venezuela, northern Brazil | 2.4–3.0 m |
| Ukraine (outside coverage area) | Domestic reception not possible | 2.4+ m — technical purposes only |
For subscribers in Ukraine and Europe, SES 22 is of no practical interest. Position 139° W is located over the Pacific Ocean — the satellite simply does not fall within the line of sight from our territory. Signal reception is only possible with specialised antenna systems of 2.4 metres or more in diameter and exclusively for technical or scientific purposes.
Transponders and Frequency Plan
SES 22 is equipped with 12 active C-band transponders: reception 3.4–4.2 GHz, transmission 5.85–6.425 GHz. The C-band choice is not accidental. It maintains a stable signal level even during heavy cloud cover and tropical downpours, which is critical for continuous data transmission and broadcasting in the Caribbean and Central American regions. Modulation is DVB-S2 with various coding schemes depending on the type of service and specific transponder. The SSL 1300 platform allows flexible redistribution of bandwidth capacity between active transponders according to current load.
Channels and Commercial Packages
SES 22 is primarily targeted at the corporate segment and telecommunications infrastructure rather than mass broadcasting. The sathub database lists 89 channels, the vast majority of which are closed commercial packages for clients in North America. The main areas of use include: corporate communication channels, backup lines for telecommunications operators and broadband access for regions with underdeveloped terrestrial infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can SES 22 be received in Ukraine?
- No. Position 139° W is outside the line of sight from Ukraine — the satellite is physically not visible from the Earth's surface in our territory. Domestic reception is not possible.
- What frequency band does SES 22 use?
- Exclusively C-band (3.4–4.2 GHz on reception). Ku-band is not available on this satellite.
- How many transponders are active on SES 22?
- The sathub database lists 12 active C-band transponders.
- What platform is the satellite built on?
- SES 22 is built on the SSL 1300 platform (Maxar Technologies) with a design lifetime of 15 years.