(Update: Launched) SpaceX to launch SES-18 and SES-19 communication satellites on Friday

SpaceX is all set to launch the SES-18 and SES-19 communication satellites to a geosynchronous transfer orbit on Friday, March 17. The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the two satellites will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

A backup launch opportunity is also available on March 18.

The rocket's first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, and two Starlink missions. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

The launch window will open at 7:38 p.m. ET (23:38 UTC). You can watch the live webcast of this mission on SpaceX's website and social media accounts.

For the unversed, SES is one of the world's leading satellite communications providers. The Luxembourg-based company operates over 70 satellites in two different orbits - Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO).

Built by Northrop Grumman, SES-18 and SES-19, are the fourth and fifth satellites that will be launched as part of SES's C-band transition plan. SES-18 is expected to begin operations in June 2023 replacing SES-3 C-band payload.

Targeting Friday, March 17 for a Falcon 9 launch of @SES_Satellites’ SES-18 and SES-19 to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida. The 38-minute window opens at 7:38 p.m. ET → https://t.co/bJFjLCiTbK

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 16, 2023

In parallel, SpaceX is gearing up for a Falcon 9 launch of 52 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit. The Starlink mission is scheduled to lift off Friday, March 17 at 12:26 p.m. PT (19:26 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The first stage booster supporting this Starlink mission previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, and three Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth and land on the "Of Course I Still Love You" droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

Update

SpaceX has successfully launched the two Falcon 9 missions, completing its 18th and 19th missions of 2023 so far.