SpaceX sends two potent internet satellites soaring, successfully broadsides rocket onto seaborne vessel (visual recording)
The O3b mPOWER satellite constellation, owned by Luxembourg-based global satellite operator SES, has taken a significant step forward with the successful launch of its ninth and tenth satellites by SpaceX on July 22, 2025. The launch took place aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
These new additions join eight other satellites already in medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing high-throughput and low-latency connectivity services. The constellation entered commercial service in April 2024 and has been incrementally expanding since then. The seventh and eighth satellites entered operational service in May 2025, enhancing the network's capacity and efficiency.
The O3b mPOWER satellites use software-defined beams and leverage technologies from U.S. military programs, offering connectivity to nearly 95% of the world's population. With these latest additions, the mPOWER constellation now consists of ten high-throughput satellites.
SES has plans to expand the O3b mPOWER constellation to 13 satellites by 2027. The final three satellites are currently under construction and scheduled for launch in 2026. The full constellation is expected to triple current system capacity, providing near-global coverage and supporting long-term profitable growth through enhanced network efficiency.
SpaceX is likely to continue its role in the launch of future O3b mPOWER satellites as part of its contractual obligations with SES. The next launches are expected to occur in the summer of 2025, with the final satellites launching in 2026.
Each satellite in the mPOWER constellation weighs about 3,750 pounds (1,700 kilograms). The Falcon 9 rocket, which launched the two mPOWER satellites, is a reusable two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX.
The launch occurred today at 5:12 p.m. EDT (2112 GMT). The Falcon 9's first stage returned to Earth and landed on SpaceX's droneship "Just Read the Instructions" in the Atlantic Ocean, marking another successful landing for SpaceX.
The mPOWER satellites are operational and provide internet service to customers around the world, contributing to SES's mission to provide better connectivity to everyone, everywhere.
Science news highlights the successful launch of the O3b mPOWER satellite constellation, owned by Luxembourg-based global satellite operator SES, which took place on July 22, 2025, using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. With the addition of these two new satellites, the mPOWER constellation now consists of ten high-throughput satellites, aiming to expand to 13 by 2027 through technology advancements in space-and-astronomy and the collaboration between SES and SpaceX.
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