TL;DR: Boeing delivered the final three O3b mPOWER satellites — F11, F12 and F13 — to SES in Florida for a September launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 to complete the initial 13-satellite medium Earth orbit constellation.

Boeing announced the delivery on Sept. 2, 2026, from El Segundo, California, according to Boeing. SES confirmed on Sept. 2, 2026, that the three spacecraft had arrived at Cape Canaveral for launch preparation, according to SES. SpaceNews reported on Sept. 2, 2026, that the satellites were delivered to Florida and are slated to launch to medium Earth orbit on a Falcon 9 later this month, according to SpaceNews.

The delivery closes the manufacturing phase of the program's initial 13-satellite constellation. Ten O3b mPOWER satellites are already operational in medium Earth orbit, according to Boeing. The three new spacecraft will join those 10 satellites, according to SES. Boeing described the moment as the successful conclusion of the program and a historic milestone for the long-term strategic partnership between the companies, according to Boeing.

Three satellites complete 13-spacecraft build

The final three satellites are designated F11, F12 and F13, according to Boeing. Boeing completed manufacturing of F11, F12 and F13 and delivered them to SES, described as a space solutions provider, according to Boeing.

Before transfer from El Segundo, California, to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the three satellites were stacked atop each other, according to Boeing. Photographs of the stacked configuration credited to Alex Veloz and Alex Aristei documented the spacecraft before shipment, according to Boeing. SpaceNews likewise described the satellites being stacked atop each other before being shipped from Boeing facilities in El Segundo, California, according to SpaceNews.

Boeing teammates were shown right-sizing the satellites while they were stacked on top of one another, according to Boeing. The stacked arrangement supported transfer from California to Florida for launch processing, according to Boeing. SES said the spacecraft arrived at Cape Canaveral, where they will be prepared for a September launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, according to SES.

September Falcon 9 launch plan from Florida

Boeing and SES will help prepare for the satellites' launch from the Florida Space Coast scheduled for September, according to Boeing. SES said the satellites will be prepared at Cape Canaveral for a September launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, according to SES. SpaceNews reported the satellites are slated to launch to medium Earth orbit on a Falcon 9 later this month, according to SpaceNews.

Via Satellite also reported that satellites F11, F12 and F13 are set for launch later this month on a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission, according to Via Satellite. The launch will carry all three of the final spacecraft together. After launch, the satellites face orbit raising and initialization activities before entering service, according to Boeing.

Boeing said the expectation is for the three satellites to enter service in mid-2027 following orbit raising and initialization activities, according to Boeing. That schedule places several months of post-launch commissioning between the September launch and operational use. The three satellites will add incremental capacity to the initial O3b mPOWER constellation upon entering service, according to Boeing.

Added capacity for MEO network

The F11, F12 and F13 satellites will add incremental capacity to the initial O3b mPOWER constellation, according to Boeing. The added capacity is intended to strengthen SES's medium Earth orbit network, according to Boeing. Boeing said the strengthened network will have the ability to successfully deliver predictable low latency, exceptional throughput and uncontended bandwidth, according to Boeing.

SES said the spacecraft will join the 10 O3b mPOWER satellites already operational in medium Earth orbit, according to SES. The arrival will further strengthen the performance, resiliency and reach of SES's MEO network, according to SES. Via Satellite reported that F11, F12 and F13 will add incremental capacity to strengthen performance and resilience of SES's current 10-satellite system, according to Via Satellite.

SES said the O3b mPOWER constellation continues to set the standard for global connectivity serving mobility, government, enterprise and cloud customers around the world, according to SES. With the upcoming launch and the completion of the O3b mPOWER constellation, SES said it reinforces its proven leadership in MEO while advancing its innovation roadmap, according to SES. SES also said its differentiated MEO capabilities and solutions are the foundation for the next generation of sovereign, secure communications, space data relay and hosted payloads, according to SES.

SES sees demand from commercial and government users

Xavier Bertran, chief product and innovation officer of SES, said the delivery of the final three satellites allows SES to ramp up constellation capabilities to meet growing commercial and government demand, according to Boeing. Bertran said the performance seen from the 10 satellites already on orbit validates the architecture, according to Boeing. Bertran said completion of the O3b mPOWER system reinforces proven leadership in MEO while advancing the innovation roadmap, according to Boeing.

Boeing said O3b mPOWER satellites enable people to access internet where they otherwise could not, according to Boeing. The company cited students in remote places being able to connect online for schoolwork as one example, according to Boeing. It cited physicians in small villages being able to provide telehealth support as another example, according to Boeing.

Other users of SES's MEO network include government organizations, civil entities, mobile operators, commercial airlines and cruise lines, according to Boeing. SES described its connectivity customers as spanning mobility, government, enterprise and cloud users, according to SES. Active customers using the MEO network include cruise lines, government organizations, civil entities, mobile operators and commercial airlines, according to Boeing's feature report.

Software-defined payload links to U.S. defense programs

The operational O3b mPOWER constellation on orbit serves as a technical baseline for critical national security systems, according to Boeing. Boeing is using a hardened version of the proven software-defined payload architecture for military satellite communications programs, according to Boeing.

Specifically, Boeing is using that architecture to design and build the U.S. Space Force's Wideband Global SATCOM-11 and WGS-12 systems, alongside Evolved Strategic SATCOM, according to Boeing. With the 702X spacecraft platform flying the O3b mPOWER software-defined payload, Boeing said it has produced a standardized dual-use system optimized for quick-delivery, high-performance constellations in any orbit, according to Boeing.

Boeing said it is leveraging space-proven, commercially matured hardware for defense programs, according to Boeing. By transitioning mature commercial systems to national defense applications, Boeing said it offers its joint-force customers an established manufacturing line that aims to minimize schedule risk, according to Boeing.

Ryan Reid, president of Boeing Satellite Systems International, said the fully operational O3b mPOWER constellation proves the effectiveness of the company's software-defined payload technologies, according to Boeing. Reid linked that effectiveness to the ability to secure the most demanding missions of commercial, joint-force and allied military customers, according to Boeing. Reid said the continued partnership with SES demonstrates Boeing's commitment to customer priorities and its ability to innovate technology and push the boundaries of satellite communications, according to Boeing.

Companies and contact details behind handover

Boeing described itself as a leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, according to Boeing. The company said it develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries, according to Boeing. Boeing said its U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact, according to Boeing. The company said it is committed to fostering a culture based on core values of safety, quality and integrity, according to Boeing.

SES said it designs space solutions that help governments protect, businesses grow and people stay connected, according to Boeing. SES said it delivers resilient, seamless connectivity and video content through integrated multi-orbit satellites and a global terrestrial network, according to Boeing. Following its Intelsat acquisition, SES said it now offers more than 100 years of combined global industry leadership, according to Boeing. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges under ticker SESG, according to Boeing.

For further information, Boeing listed Mallory Beard of Boeing Communications and Boeing Media Relations as contacts, according to Boeing. SES listed Nancy Welsh and [email protected] for further information, according to SES.

Sources referenced