The Long Road to Ovzon 3

In 2018, Swedish network operator Ovzon ordered one of the first small GEO satellites (1,000-2,000kg), expecting a typical three years to build and launch. Maxar was to build the satellite, with SpaceX providing a Falcon Heavy launch in 2021.

Unfortunately for Ovzon, its schedule was overly optimistic. Getting to orbit took five years, requiring regulatory extensions and more than $40 million in added expenses. For buyers of satellites and launch services, Ovzon’s experience is illustrative of pitfalls to avoid, notably:

•Setting aggressive timetables for new satellite designs. Novel, first-of-their-kind satellites take, on average, two to three years longer to build than heritage designs. They can also take on unexpected changes (in Ovzon’s case, a 20% mass increase to 1,800 kg). History has borne this out repeatedly (see chart). Operators should budget a large fudge factor or plan on renegotiating partner agreements (customers, financiers, regulators, etc.) when inevitable delays stack up.

•Overemphasizing launcher schedules. Because novel satellite designs are prone to schedule slips, operators shouldn’t put the onus of schedule surety on launch providers. Ovzon switched from Falcon Heavy to Arianespace’s Ariane 5, describing it as a “better deal in cost and time.” Then COVID manufacturing delays cost Ovzon its launch slot on the final Ariane 5 launch, back to SpaceX, which performed a flawless launch Jan. 4, 2024, on an appropriately sized Falcon 9. Then again, since Ovzon jumped ship, the Heavy has knocked out a respectable six launches. Probably should have started with a Falcon 9.

Launch saga aside, Ovzon 3 now serves as the next proving ground for small GEO satellites, albeit at the heavier end of that category. Last year was the first time in Quilty records dating back to 2000 that micro- and small-GEO unit sales exceeded classic, multi-ton GEOs. But, the failure of Astranis’ first satellite in July deprived the industry of a chance to evaluate how these satellites work. If small GEOs are to be successful, they’ll need to gain flight heritage, and Maxar/Ovzon are now at the forefront of that journey. 

SOURCE: https://wWw.ovzon.com/en/successful-launch-of-ovzon-3/