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All-electric satellites, ABS 3A and EUTELSAT 115 West B, have launched to supersynchronous transfer orbit aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

The satellites lifted-off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, US.

The launch is said to be Falcon 9’s 16th launch and most voluminous payload to date.

Approximately three minutes after lift-off, the first and second stages separated, and the second stage’s Merlin vacuum engine performed a five-minute burn.

The engine restarted after 25 minutes into flight to place the all-electric propulsion satellites to orbit.

"ABS 3A features 48 72MHz C and Ku-band transponders to provide expanded communications and broadcast capabilities."

The ABS 3A satellite was first deployed into a supersynchronous transfer orbit and EUTELSAT 115 West B five minutes later.

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On reaching geosynchronous orbits, ABS 3A will be located at 3°W and will connect the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East regions, while EUTELSAT 115 West B will operate from 114.9°W to provide coverage from Alaska and Canada to South America.

ABS 3A features 48 72MHz C and Ku-band transponders to provide expanded communications and broadcast capabilities. It will be followed by ABS 2A, scheduled to be launched in the fourth quarter of this year.

Built by Boeing, the 2.2t EUTELSAT 115 West B is preparing for orbit-raising, scheduled to commence on 7 March, following which it will undergo performance tests to start commercial services in November 2015.

Eutelsat is set to launch EUTELSAT 117 West B satellite later this year at 117°W to boost capabilities for Latin America broadcast markets.

The company’s EUTELSAT 65 West A is planned for launch in 2016, to offer high-power coverage of C, Ku and Ka-bands in Brazil and Latin America.

Image: ABS 3A and EUTELSAT 115 West B lifted-off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo: courtesy of Space Exploration Technologies Corp.