The Arabsat-owned communications satellite BADR-8 aka Arabsat-7B was launched by a Falcon 9v1.2FT Block 5 from Cape Canaveral at 0430 GMT on 27 May 2023. The 4,500 kg uses the Airbus DS-built Eurostar-NEO satellite bus design which will use its electric propulsion system to slowly achieve final positioning of the spacecraft. The spacecraft was actually left in a 61,203 x 403 km “Super-synchronous” transfer orbit inclined at 27.8 degrees. This orbit has an apogee higher than the traditional GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) as this makes inclination removal easier to achieve. Badr-8 will use its C-Band and Ku-band communications payload for broadcasting across the Middle East region. The spacecraft also carries a TELEO optical communications demonstrator payload developed by Airbus DS.
Burn of upper stage Merlin vacuum engine on Badr-8 launch. Courtesy: SpaceX
The launch vehicle’s reusable first stage B1062 on its 14th flight was recovered via landing on the barge Just Read The Instructions located downrange in the Atlantic.
