A launch occurring late in SpaceX’s announced July–September launch window for Ovzon 3 may require additional approvals.
Ovzon secured a deadline extension on 2023-03-28 enabling it to keep priority spectrum rights for its first broadband satellite Ovzon 3 if it launches early enough in a July–September launch window set by SpaceX.
Ovzon 3 was originally slated to launch in 2021 before manufacturing delays at Maxar Technologies.
International regulators gave Ovzon until the end of the year to start providing services in geostationary orbit from Ovzon 3.
Ovzon 3 will be launched by a flight-proven Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida later in 2023.
Ovzon CEO Per Norén is confident in the market demand for Ovzon 3 and cites increasing demand from current and new customers for the geostationary satellite.
Ovzon had planned to piggyback Ovzon 3 on one of Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rockets between December and February after missing an earlier 2022 slot due to Maxar Technologies’ supply chain issues.
Ovzon AB increased its loan facility with P Capital Partners from $60,000,000 to $65,000,000 to finalize and launch Ovzon 3.
Ovzon 3 is expected to enhance mobility, performance, and resiliency for customers during complex operations.
Ovzon plans to launch Ovzon 3 to provide near-peer capabilities intended to enhance mission success in contested environments.
Ovzon has a launch timeframe for Ovzon 3 between December 2022 and February 2023, contingent on successful tests and completed logistics and coordination.
Critical key components previously delayed for Ovzon 3 have been delivered to Ovzon’s production partner Maxar.
The Ovzon 3 communication platform will offer secure connectivity in a wide range of conditions.
In the third quarter, Intelsat’s $56,200,000 pre-capacity commitment for Ovzon 3 was reduced by 5% because of the satellite’s delay.
Once launched from Arianespace’s launchpad in French Guiana, Ovzon 3 will take about four months to enter service and will provide five steerable beams.
Arianespace had planned to fly Ovzon 3 earlier in 2022 on an Ariane 5 rocket alongside Eutelsat’s Konnect VHTS satellite.
Ovzon’s first satellite, Ovzon 3, is set to launch between December and February following the delivery of parts delayed by supply chain issues.
Ovzon 3 is lighter and smaller than traditional communications satellites designed for geostationary orbit.
Arianespace is seeking to add Ovzon 3 to one of three remaining Ariane 5 flights before transitioning to the Ariane 6.
Ovzon will launch its first owned satellite, Ovzon 3, later in 2022.