SES (company): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Communications satellite owner and operator}} |
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{{Advert|date=July 2009}} |
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{{Use British English|date=June 2020}} |
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{{Infobox Company |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}} |
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| company_name = SES S.A. |
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{{Infobox company |
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| company_logo = [[Image:SES.svg|170px]] |
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| name = SES S.A. |
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| company_type = [[Public company|Public]] ({{LuxSE|SESG}}, {{Euronext|SESG}}) |
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| logo = [[File:SES Logo 2011.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]] |
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| foundation = 1985 |
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| logo_alt = Logo of SES |
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| location = [[Betzdorf Castle|Château de Betzdorf]], [[Betzdorf, Luxembourg|Betzdorf]], [[Luxembourg]] |
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| logo_caption = Logo used since 2011 |
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| key_people = [[René Steichen]] <small>([[Chairman]] of the [[board of directors|board]])</small>, Romain Bausch <small>(President and [[chief executive officer|CEO]])</small> |
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| image = Betzdorf, SES (110).jpg |
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| industry = [[Telecommunications]] |
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| image_alt = Image of SES' headquarters |
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| products = [[Communications satellite|Satellite telecommunications]] and services |
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| image_caption = [[Uplink]] [[Parabolic antenna|dishes]] at the SES headquarters in [[Betzdorf, Luxembourg|Betzdorf]], [[Luxembourg]]. |
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| revenue = [[Euro|€]]1.630 billion <small>(2008)</small><ref name="AR2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.ses.com/ses/PDFs/MediaRoom/Financial/AR2008/SES_AR08_ENGLISH.pdf|title=Annual Report 2008 |accessdate=2009-09-17|publisher=SES|format=PDF}}</ref> |
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| former_name = {{Plainlist| |
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| operating_income = {{profit}} €625.1 million <small>(2008)</small><ref name="AR2008" /> |
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* Société Européenne des Satellites <small>(1985-2001)</small> |
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* SES Global <small>(2001-2006)</small>}} |
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| type = [[S.A. (corporation)|Société Anonyme]] |
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| homepage = [http://www.ses.com www.ses.com] |
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| traded_as = {{ubl|{{LuxSE|isin=LU0088087324|SESG}}|{{EuronextParis|SESG|LU0088087324|XPAR}}|[[CAC Mid 60|CAC Mid 60 Component]]}} |
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| intl = yes |
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| foundation = {{Start date and age|1985}} |
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| founder = {{Unbulleted list|Candace Johnson<ref>{{Cite web |title=Candace Johnson {{!}} European Angel Investment Summit |url=https://europeanangelsummit.com/teams/candace-johnson/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |language=en-GB}}</ref>|[[Luxembourg|Government of Luxembourg]]}} |
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| location = [[Betzdorf Castle|Château de Betzdorf]], [[Betzdorf, Luxembourg]] |
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| key_people = Frank Esser<small> (Chairman)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ses.com/about-us/board-directors|title=Board of Directors|publisher=SES S.A.|access-date=2020-04-27}}</ref> <br>Adel Al-Saleh<small> (CEO)</small><ref name=mt>{{cite web|url=https://www.ses.com/about-us/management|title=Management|publisher=SES S.A.|access-date=2020-08-26}}</ref> |
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| ISIN = {{ISIN|LU0088087324}} |
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| industry = Telecommunications |
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| products = [[Communications satellite]]s and services |
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| revenue = {{increase}} {{€|2,030 million|link=yes}} <small>(2023)</small><ref name="2023report">[https://www.ses.com/sites/default/files/2024-02/SES-Annual-Report-2023-WEBvp.pdf ''Annual Report 2023''] SES S.A. 29 February 2024. Accessed 27 March 2024</ref> |
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| operating_income = {{decrease}} (€686 million) <small>(2023)</small><ref name="2023report"/> |
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| profit = {{decrease}} (€904 million) <small>(2023)</small><ref name="2023report"/> |
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| assets = {{decrease}} €10,184 million <small>(2023)</small><ref name="2023report"/> |
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| equity = {{decrease}} €3,758 million <small>(2023)</small><ref name="2023report"/> |
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| num_employees = 2,294 <small>([[full-time equivalent|FTE]], end 2023)</small><ref name="2023report"/> |
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| divisions = {{Unbulleted list|SES Networks|SES Video}}<ref name="2023report"/> |
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| subsid = {{Unbulleted list|GovSat <small>(50%)</small>|[[HD+]]|[[QuetzSat 1|Quetzsat]]|Redu Space Services <small>(52%)</small>|[[#Corporate structure|SES Space and Defense]]|[[#Corporate structure|SES Techcom]]|[[Al Yah Satellite Communications|YahLive]] <small>(35%)</small>}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-28 |title=Our Affiliates {{!}} SES |url=https://www.ses.com/about-us/our-affiliates |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=www.ses.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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| homepage = {{URL|http://www.ses.com/}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''SES S.A.''', [[Trade name|trading as]] '''SES''' is a Luxembourgish [[Communications satellite|satellite]] [[telecommunication]]s network provider supplying video and data connectivity worldwide to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators, governments and institutions.<ref>[https://www.ses.com/about-us ''About Us''] SES website. Accessed 30 March 2020</ref><ref name="CoBroch2017">[https://www.ses.com/sites/default/files/2017-10/SES_CompanyBrochure_October2017_EN.pdf ''ACCELERATING BEYOND FRONTIERS''] SES Company Brochure. October 2017. Accessed 30 March 2018</ref> |
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'''SES S. A.''' ({{LuxSE|SESG}}, {{Euronext|SESG}}) has a fleet of 40 [[satellites]] at 26 [[Geostationary|orbital positions]] making it one of the world's leading provider of satellite communication and transmission services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://a52.g.akamaitech.net/f/52/827/1d/www.space.com/images/0630_SPN_DOM_00_012_00.pdf|title=Top fixed Satellite Service Operators|language=English|publisher=Spacenews.com|date=2008-06-30|accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref> Originally founded as '''S'''ociété '''E'''uropéenne des '''S'''atellites in 1985, it was renamed SES Global in 2001 and later simply ‘SES’ as the group management company of [[SES Astra]], [[SES World Skies]] and other satellite and satellite service companies in which SES holds a stake, [[SES Sirius]], [[ND SatCom]] and [[Astra Platform Services|APS]] (''Astra Platform Services'') being the principal ones. |
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SES is one of the world's leading satellite owners and operators with over 70 satellites in two different orbits: [[geostationary orbit]] (GEO) and [[medium Earth orbit]] (MEO).<ref>[https://www.ses.com/our-coverage ''Our Coverage''] SES website. Accessed 25 February 2019</ref> These include the well-known European [[Astra (satellite)|Astra]] TV satellites, the [[O3b]] and [[O3b mPOWER]] data satellites and others with names including [[SES Americom|AMC]], [[Ciel Satellite Group|Ciel]], [[SES World Skies|NSS]], [[QuetzSat 1|Quetzsat]], [[Al Yah Satellite Communications|YahSat]] and [[List of SES satellites|SES]]. |
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SES is based in [[Betzdorf, Luxembourg|Betzdorf]], [[Luxembourg]] and is listed on the [[Luxembourg Stock Exchange]] and [[Euronext|Euronext Paris]] under the [[ticker symbol]] SESG. It is a component of the [[LuxX Index|LuxX]], [[CAC Next 20]] and [[Euronext 100]] [[stock market index|indices]]. |
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In April 2024, SES announced the acquisition of satellite services provider, [[Intelsat]] to create a more competitive multi-orbit satellite operator. The transaction is expected to complete regulatory approvals in 2025.<ref name="acquisition">{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=30 April 2024|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-acquire-intelsat-compelling-transaction-focused-future|title=SES to acquire Intelsat in compelling transaction focused on the future|access-date=21 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="analysys">[https://www.analysysmason.com/research/content/articles/intelsat-ses-merger-nsi040/ ''The Intelsat–SES merger is a milestone for the satcom industry''] Analysys Mason. 9 May 2024. Accessed 21 May 2024</ref> |
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==Group companies== |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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Based in [[Betzdorf, Luxembourg]] and founded in 1985 as ''Société Européenne des Satellites'', the company was renamed SES Global in 2001 and has been simply "SES" since 2006. The company's stock is listed on the [[Luxembourg Stock Exchange]] and [[Euronext|Euronext Paris]] with the [[ticker symbol]] SESG and is a component of the [[LuxX Index|LuxX]], [[CAC Next 20]] and [[Euronext 100]] [[stock market index]]es. |
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|+ Group structure of SES (Numbers in brackets indicate percentage of participation) |
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! width="200" | |
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A book, ''[[High Above]]'', telling the story of the founding of SES and the development of its first [[Astra (satellite)|Astra satellites]] was published in 2010 to mark the company's 25th Anniversary, and was followed by ''[[Even Higher]]'' in 2012 and ''[[Beyond Frontiers]]'' in 2016. |
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! width="600" |SES |
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== History == |
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=== Early years === |
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SES was formed on the initiative and support of the [[Luxembourg]]ish government in 1985 as '''''S'''ociété '''E'''uropéenne des '''S'''atellites'' (SES). The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg remains a major [[shareholder]]. In December 1988, as Europe's first private satellite operator, SES launched its first satellite, [[Astra 1A]], to the [[Astra 19.2°E|19.2° East]] orbital position. [[Rupert Murdoch]]'s [[Sky Television (1984–1990)|Sky TV]], along with German broadcasters [[ProSieben|Pro7]], [[Sat.1]], and [[RTL Group|RTL]] were among Astra's first major customers.<ref name=book/> |
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By 1990, Astra was broadcasting to 14 million cable and DTH (Direct to Home) viewers. SES was the pioneer of 'co-location' by which several satellites share the same orbital position to provide mutual backup and increase the number of channels available to a fixed receiving dish, creating what became known as a 'satellite neighbourhood'. Astra's prime slot, 19.2° East, saw as many as eight satellites sharing the position simultaneously and helped to build up Astra's reputation for reliability.<ref name=book/> |
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Rapid growth in [[Germany]], in what would become Astra's largest European market, was helped by the German government's decision to liberalize the installation of dishes in 1991. In this time SES became the leading satellite system providing direct-to-home transmission, and became the world's largest satellite platform for TV distribution.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} |
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In 1996, after the launch of [[Astra 1E]], SES pioneered digital satellite transmission with the French [[Canal+ (French TV channel)|Canal+]]. In 1998, SES launched [[Astra 2A]] for the UK market, transmitting at the new orbital position 28.2° East, and eventually moving all of its [[United Kingdom]] and [[Ireland]] transmission capacity to this orbital slot.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} In the same year, SES went public on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange trading as SESG (in 2005 SES would also list on the Paris Euronext).{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} |
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=== Global expansion === |
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From 1999, SES began a period of ambitious global expansion beyond its European home market. Geographic expansion went hand-in-hand with the diversification of SES' services beyond just TV broadcasting, to cover telecommunication services for businesses, telecommunications companies and government customers, as well as broadband access and technical consultancy services. |
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In 1999, SES acquired a 34.13% stake in Hong Kong-based satellite operator [[AsiaSat]] and took a foothold in Asia and the Pacific region.<ref name=book/> A year later, SES acquired 50% of Scandinavian satellite broadcaster [[SES Sirius|Nordic Satellite AB]] (NSAB),<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=19 March 2001|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2001/4422498|title=SES GROUP PROFIT UP 21.4% IN 2000|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref> later renamed [[SES Sirius]], which strengthened SES' coverage in northern and eastern Europe. The same year, SES also took a participation of 19.99% in Brazilian satellite operator [[Star One (satellite operator)|Star One]], gaining a first presence in [[Latin America]]. |
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In 2001, SES bought 28.75% of Argentina's Nahuelsat and acquired [[GE Americom]], giving it a solid presence in the important North American market. This resulted in the formation of SES Global, a corporate entity with two operating companies, [[SES Astra]] and [[SES Americom]]. Altogether, SES operated a fleet of 41 geostationary satellites, the largest in the world in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=More Than Space Allows|publisher=Cable & Satellite Europe|date=December 2001|access-date=23 September 2011|url=http://www.katebulkley.com/morethan.html}}</ref> |
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Further acquisitions followed. In 2003, SES' stake in NSAB was increased to 75%<ref>{{cite web|title=SES GLOBAL Increases Stake in NSAB To 75%|publisher=Business Wire|date=15 December 2003|access-date=25 September 2011|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20031215005344/en/SES-GLOBAL-Increases-Stake-NSAB-75}}</ref> and in 2005 SES acquired a participation in Canadian satellite operator [[Ciel Satellite Group|Ciel]] and in Mexico's [[QuetzSat 1|Quetzsat]], as well as the divestment from Nahuelsat. |
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SES acquired services provider, Digital Playout Centre GmbH (later [[SES Platform Services|Astra Platform Services]], then [[SES Platform Services]], then [[MX1 Ltd|MX1]], now merged into SES) in 2005.<ref name=book/> and in 2006 SES also acquired ND SatCom, a German provider of government services,<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=ND Satcom|date=24 May 2006 |url=http://www.ndsatcom.com/en/company/news/news_archive.php?year=2006&id=571|title=SES ASTRA increases shareholding in ND SatCom to 100%|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424230028/http://www.ndsatcom.com/en/company/news/news_archive.php?year=2006&id=571|archive-date=24 April 2012}}</ref> developing a services portfolio beyond just bandwidth provision. |
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Also in 2006, SES acquired [[SES World Skies|New Skies Satellites]], later renamed SES New Skies, adding six satellites to the SES fleet and strengthening coverage in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.<ref>{{cite web|title=SES Completes New Skies Acquisition|publisher=Space Business Review|date=March 2006|access-date=24 September 2011|url=http://www.milbank.com/images/content/1/1/1129/0603_sbr.pdf}}</ref> |
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In 2007, SES divested from its holdings in [[AsiaSat]] and [[Star One (satellite operator)|Star One]] in a complex transaction with [[General Electric]] which itself divested from SES.<ref>{{cite press release |publisher=AsiaSat|date=2 April 2007|url=http://www.asiasat.com/asiasat/EN/upload/doc/pressrelease/news_20070402.pdf|title=AsiaSat Announces New Major Shareholder GE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112172839/http://asiasat.com/asiasat/EN/upload/doc/pressrelease/news_20070402.pdf|archive-date=12 January 2011}}</ref> |
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In 2008, SES increased its stake in NSAB to 90%.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=31 January 2008|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2008/4461268|title=SES Increases Ownership in SES SIRIUS To 90%}}</ref> and merged its two international operating units, SES Americom and SES New Skies into a new segment which was branded [[SES World Skies]] in September 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/200909074652/ses-re-brands-international-divisions.html|title=SES re-brands international divisions|publisher=Rapidtvnews.com|date=7 September 2009|access-date=10 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720000323/http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/200909074652/ses-re-brands-international-divisions.html|archive-date=20 July 2011}}</ref> |
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In 2009, SES and Middle East satellite operator [[Al Yah Satellite Communications|Yahsat]] announced the formation of a joint venture, YahLive, to commercialise 23 Ku-band transponders on Yahsat 1A, serving the Middle East, North Africa and [[Western Asia]] with direct-to-home TV services.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES Astra|date=20 April 2009|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2009/4468119|title=SES ASTRA AND YAHSAT START MIDDLE EAST SATELLITE COMPANY}}</ref> Also in 2009, SES announced its investment in [[O3b Networks]] a project to build a [[Medium Earth orbit|medium Earth orbit (MEO)]] satellite constellation to deliver high-speed, low-latency, fibre-like internet broadband trunking to the world's emerging regions ("the '''O'''ther '''3''' '''b'''illion").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f422b334-d24e-11de-a0f0-00144feabdc0.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f422b334-d24e-11de-a0f0-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=11 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=SES offers cash to back internet satellite project|work=Financial Times|date=31 January 2009|access-date=10 September 2009}}</ref> |
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In 2010, SES grew its stake in SES Sirius to 100%<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=5 March 2010|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2010/4487003|title=SES ASTRA TAKES FULL OWNERSHIP OF SES SIRIUS}}</ref> and closed the acquisition of the in-orbit satellite Protostar-2/Indostar-2, renaming it [[SES-7]] and integrating it into its fleet covering [[India]] and [[Southeast Asia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euroinvestor.co.uk/news/story.aspx?id=11042465&bw=20100505005708|title=ProtoStar II Acquisition Closed Satellite to Be Integrated into SES WORLD SKIES' Satellite Fleet as SES-7 |work=EuroInvestor|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref> |
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In May and September 2011, SES restructured and rebranded the company to streamline the organisation's activities under a single management team and one main brand (SES), incorporating the company's two previous operating entities, [[SES Astra]] and [[SES World Skies]].<ref name="ses-restructure">{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=2 May 2011|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2011/4493611|title=SES OPERATES UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=9 September 2011|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2011/7725000|title=New logo and brand identity presented at IBC in Amsterdam}}</ref> |
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=== Global operator === |
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In August 2011, the [[Astra 1N]] satellite was launched to the [[Astra 28.2°E|28.2° East]] orbital position,<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=7 August 2011 |url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2011/7722694|title=ASTRA 1N ROARS INTO SPACE ON BOARD ARIANE 5}}</ref> and in September 2011, the [[QuetzSat 1]] satellite was launched to 77.0° West<ref name="QuetzSat-1 successfully launched - ILS">[http://www.ilslaunch.com/mission-control/quetzsat-1/blog/quetzsat-1-success QuetzSat-1 successfully launched – ILS], QuetzSat-1 successfully launched at [[Baikonur cosmodrome]], ILS – 29 September 2011.</ref> |
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In February 2012, SES-4 was successfully launched to become SES' 50th satellite and the largest, heaviest and most powerful in the fleet.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=15 February 2012 |url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2012/10232154|title=50th SES SPACECRAFT IN ORBIT AFTER SUCCESSFUL ILS PROTON LAUNCH}}</ref> In July 2012, [[SES-5]], the 51st SES Satellite was launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan to 5.0° East with 36 [[Ku band|Ku-band]] transponders to provide coverage over [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and the [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] and the [[Baltic region]]s in [[Europe]], and 28 [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]] transponders for Europe, [[Africa]] and the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=10 July 2012|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2012/11915922|title=SES-5 TO PROVIDE FRESH SATELLITE CAPACITY IN MULTIPLE FREQUENCY BANDS TO EUROPE, AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST}}</ref> |
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In September 2012, [[Astra 2F]] was successfully launched from [[Kourou]] in [[French Guiana]], the first of three "next generation" satellites at the second Astra orbital position at 28.2° East. The satellite has Ku-band coverage of all Europe, the [[British Isles]] and sub-Saharan Africa for [[Satellite television|DTH television]], and [[Ka band|Ka-band]] coverage of [[Central Europe]] for the [[SES Broadband]] satellite internet service.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=1 October 2012|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2012/12794008|title=SES SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES ASTRA 2F SATELLITE|access-date=1 October 2012}}</ref> |
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[[SES-6]] was launched from [[Baikonur]], [[Kazakhstan]] on 3 June 2013 to 40.5° East, to replace [[NSS-806]] and provide continuity of service and expansion capacity in C-band for [[Latin America]] and the [[Caribbean]]. The satellite has 43 C-band and 48 Ku-band transponders with comprehensive coverage of [[North America]], Latin America, Europe and the [[Atlantic Ocean]].<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES |date=4 June 2013|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2013/15320856|title=SES-6 SATELLITE LAUNCHED SUCCESSFULLY WITH LARGE BRAZILIAN ANCHOR CUSTOMER|access-date=28 June 2013}}</ref> |
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[[Astra 2E]] was launched to the Astra 28.2° East position from [[Baikonur]] in [[Kazakhstan]] on 30 September 2013 to provide [[free-to-air]] and encrypted DTH digital TV and satellite [[Internet service provider|broadband services]] for Europe and the Middle East.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=30 September 2013|url=http://www.ses.com/16089724/2013-09-30-ASTRA-2E-successfully-launched|title=ASTRA 2E successfully launched|access-date=30 September 2013}}</ref> The successful launch followed a 10-week delay due to the postponement of all launches by launch services provider [[International Launch Services|ILS]] after a catastrophic failure of the rocket in a previous launch.<ref>[http://www.space.com/21819-russia-grounds-proton-rocket-launches.html ''Russia Halts Proton Rocket Launches After Explosive Crash''] Space.com. 2 July 2013. Accessed 30 September 2013</ref> |
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In December 2013, [[SES-8]] was launched from [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Canaveral]] using a [[SpaceX]] [[Falcon 9 v1.1]], the first geostationary satellite to be launched with a SpaceX rocket.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=3 December 2013|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2013/16421023|title=LAUNCH SUCCESS FOR SES-8 SATELLITE ON BOARD SPACEX/FALCON 9|access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> |
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In March 2014, [[Astra 5B]] was launched as SES' 56th satellite to the Astra 31.5° East position from [[Kourou]] in [[French Guiana]] to provide transponder capacity and extend geographical reach over Central and [[Eastern Europe]], [[Russia]] and the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS) for [[Satellite television|DTH]], direct-to-cable and contribution feeds to digital terrestrial television networks.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES ASTRA|date=23 March 2014|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2014/18066873|title=SES: ASTRA 5B SATELLITE LAUNCH SUCCESS ON ARIANE 5|access-date=27 March 2014}}</ref> |
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In April 2014, Romain Bausch stepped down as president and CEO of SES, a position he had held since 1995 overseeing the growth of the company from a European Direct-to-Home satellite system with four satellites into a global satellite industry leader operating a fleet of more than 50 satellites. Bausch continues to serve SES as a non-executive Director, and is elected to take the role of chairman at the start of 2015. He was succeeded as CEO by Karim Michel Sabbagh.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=3 April 2014|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2014/18537129|title=SES ANNOUNCES BOARD APPOINTMENTS|access-date=29 May 2014}}</ref> |
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In May 2014 SES announced that the engineering services division, SES TechCom had joined with the Luxembourg Government and the Minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, and five [[Non-governmental organization|Non-governmental organisations (NGO)]] – Archemed, Fondation Follereau, Friendship, [[German Doctors for Developing Countries|German Doctors]] and [[Médecins Sans Frontières]] to form [[Satmed]], an [[eHealth]] platform to improve public health in emerging and developing countries, especially in remote areas with poor connectivity.<ref>{{cite press release |publisher=SES|date=27 May 2014|url= https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-partners-e-medicine-platform-satmed |title= SES PARTNERS FOR E-MEDICINE PLATFORM SATMED| accessdate = 31 July 2022}}</ref> |
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In July 2014, SES announced that nearly half of the SES satellite fleet is controlled from the new satellite operations center (SOC) opened at its sales and engineering offices in [[Princeton, New Jersey|Princeton]], [[New Jersey]]. 23 satellites are controlled from Princeton with the remainder operated from SES's global headquarters in [[Luxembourg]].<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=31 July 2014 |url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2014/19852670|title=SES UNVEILS NEW SATELLITE OPERATIONS CENTER|access-date=1 August 2014}}</ref> |
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[[Astra 2G]], the final "next generation" satellite for the [[Astra 28.2°E|28.2° East]] orbital position was launched from the [[Baikonur Cosmodrome|Baikonur]] in December 2014 to deliver broadcast, [[Very-small-aperture terminal|VSAT]] and broadband services to Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and to connect [[West Africa]] to Europe via [[Ka band|Ka-band]].<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=28 November 2014|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2014/20470317|title=ASTRA 2G SATELLITE ROARS INTO ORBIT|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> |
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On 13 January 2015, SES announced that it plans to procure and launch a satellite in partnership with the [[Politics of Luxembourg|Luxembourg Government]], to be called [[SES-16|GovSat-1]]. Jointly owned, the satellite is launched in 2017 to an orbital position above Europe and provide governmental and military communications in the [[X band|X-band]] and Ka-band with coverage of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and [[Asia-Pacific]].<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=13 January 2015|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2015/20494098|title=SES AND LUXEMBOURG GOVERNMENT PLAN TO LAUNCH SATELLITE IN LATE 2017|access-date=28 January 2015}}</ref> |
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In February 2016, it was announced that, subject to regulatory approvals, subsidiary, [[SES Platform Services]] would purchase [[RR Media]], a global digital media services provider to the broadcast and media industries, based in [[Israel]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.rrmedia.com/pages/latest-news|publisher=RR Media|date=26 February 2016|title=RR Media to Merge with SES Platform Services|access-date=26 July 2016}}</ref> In July 2016, SES announced that the acquisition was complete and that the merged company would be known as [[MX1 Ltd|MX1]].<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=6 July 2016 |url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2016/22329451|title=SES ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF MERGER OF RR MEDIA WITH SES PLATFORM SERVICES|access-date=26 July 2016}}</ref> |
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In March 2016, the [[SES-9]] satellite was successfully launched by a [[Falcon 9 Full Thrust]] rocket from [[Cape Canaveral]] after four previous attempts on 24 February, 25 February, 28 February, and 1 March 2016 - all aborted due to weather and launcher problems.<ref>[http://www.space.com/32034-spacex-rocket-landing-ses9-launch-webcast.html ''SpaceX to Try Rocket Landing During Satellite Launch Friday: Watch Live''] Space.Com. 1 March 2016. Accessed 30 March 2016</ref> The satellite used [[electric propulsion]] to reach [[geostationary orbit]] and will be positioned at 108.2° East to provide 81 Ku-band transponder equivalents for [[Pay television|pay-TV]], data and mobility across [[Northeast Asia]] and [[South Asia]], and [[Indonesia]].<ref>[http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/spacex_ses9_press_kit_final.pdf ''SES-9 Mission''] Space-X. 24 February 2016. Accessed 30 March 2016</ref> |
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In April 2016, SES announced that (subject to regulatory approvals which are expected to be completed by the end of 2016) it will pay US$20 million to increase its fully diluted ownership of [[O3b Networks]] from 49.1% to 50.5%, taking a controlling share in the company.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES ASTRA|date=29 April 2016|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2016/22223665|title=SES to take control of O3b Networks|access-date=30 May 2016}}</ref> In May 2016, SES said it would raise another US$710 million to purchase 100% of O3b Networks, exercising a call option with O3b minority shareholders and eliminating the possibility of an O3b stock offering,<ref>[http://spacenews.com/ses-exercises-option-to-buy-100-of-o3b-networks-will-raise-new-equity ''SES exercises option to buy 100% of O3b Networks, will raise new equity''] 26 May 2016 Space News. Accessed 30 May 2016</ref> and then subsequently announced the completion of the capital raising<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=27 May 2016 |url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2016/22276982|title=SES COMPLETES EUR 908.8 MILLION CAPITAL RAISING TO FUND MOVE TO 100% OF O3B NETWORKS AND ACCELERATION OF COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL SYNERGIES|access-date=30 May 2016}}</ref> and completion of the acquisition.<ref>[http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160801005941/en/SES-Completes-Acquisition-100-O3b-Networks ''SES Completes Acquisition of 100% of O3b Networks''] Business Wire. 1 August 2016. Accessed 26 April 2017</ref> |
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In May 2016, [[Modern Times Group]], owner of the [[Viasat (Nordic television service)|Viasat]] DTH platform announced that the Viasat Ultra HD channel would launch in the autumn on the [[SES-5]] satellite at [[Astra 5°E|5.0° East]], as the first [[Ultra-high-definition television|UHD]] channel for the Nordic region and the first UHD Sports channel in the World. The channel will feature selected live sport events especially produced in Ultra HD and Viasat will also be launching an Ultra HD set-top box from [[Samsung]] and a TV-module to enable existing UHD TVs to display the channel.<ref>[http://advanced-television.com/2016/05/13/mtg-launches-first-nordic-uhd-channel/ ''MTG launches first Nordic UHD channel''] Advanced Television 13 May 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016</ref> SES claimed the launch of Viasat Ultra HD will bring the number of UHD channels (including test channels and regional versions) carried on SES satellites to 24, or 46% of all UHD channels broadcast via satellite worldwide.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=13 May 2016 |url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2016/22247486|title=SES TO TRANSMIT FIRST ULTRA HD CHANNEL IN THE NORDICS AT 5 DEGREES EAST|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref> |
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On 30 March 2017, the [[SES-10]] satellite was successfully launched from [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Canaveral]] by a [[SpaceX]] [[Falcon 9]] rocket using a refurbished first stage booster that had been previously used to launch a [[SpaceX Dragon]] cargo ship to the [[International Space Station]] for [[NASA]] in April 2016 and then landed and recovered. This is the first time that a rocket booster has been reused in this way. Both the Falcon 9 first stage and the payload fairing were successfully recovered after the SES-10 launch for subsequent reuse. SES-10 is positioned at 67.0° West to serve Latin America.<ref>[http://www.space.com/36291-spacex-used-rocket-launch-landing-success.html ''Used SpaceX Rocket Launches Satellite, Then Lands in Historic 1st Reflight''] Space.com 30 March 2017. Accessed 31 March 2017</ref> |
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In April 2017, the [[Luxembourg]] Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs extended the contract with SES to maintain, support, and continue to develop the [[Satmed]] [[eHealth]] platform to improve public health in remote areas of developing countries until 2020, extending the provision of satellite connectivity over Africa, the Philippines and Bangladesh.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2017/04/11/ses-luxembourg-government-extend-satmed-contract/ ''SES, Luxembourg Government Extend Satmed Contract''] Via Satellite. 11 April 2017. Accessed 31 July 2022</ref> |
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In May 2017, SES announced the successful integration with the [[SES-14]] satellite of the [[NASA]] [[Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk]] (GOLD) scientific [[hosted payload]] built by the [[University of Colorado Boulder]] [[Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics]]. The first scientific payload carried by an SES satellite, GOLD was integrated with SES-14 at [[Airbus Defence and Space]] in [[Toulouse]], [[France]] ahead of its launch to 47.5° West in late 2017 on a [[SpaceX]] [[Falcon 9 Full Thrust]] from [[Kennedy Space Center]] in [[Cape Canaveral]], Florida.<ref>{{cite press release |publisher=SES|date=23 May 2017|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-14-integrates-nasa-ultraviolet-space-spectrograph|title=SES-14 Integrates NASA Ultraviolet Space Spectrograph|access-date=7 June 2017}}</ref> |
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In June 2017, SES announced the start of a 30-month project by the Satellite and Terrestrial Network for 5G (SaT5G) consortium for the seamless, and economically viable, integration of satellite (such as SES' [[geostationary orbit]] and [[medium Earth orbit]] high throughput satellites) into future 5G networks, improving the ubiquity, resilience and efficiency of 5G services, and opening new markets in media distribution, transport and underserved areas. The consortium is funded by the [[European Commission]] under the [[Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development|Horizon 2020]] programme and comprises 16 members, including SES and [[Airbus Defence and Space]], [[Avanti Communications]], [[BT Group|British Telecom]], Broadpeak, [[Gilat Satellite Networks]], OneAccess, [[Thales Alenia Space]], [[Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research|TNO]], [[University of Surrey]], and [[Zodiac Aerospace|Zodiac Inflight Innovation]].<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=29 June 2017|url= https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-and-sat5g-spearhead-development-ubiquitous-5g-network-capabilities|title=SES and SaT5G to Spearhead Development of Ubiquitous 5G Network Capabilities|access-date=29 June 2017}}</ref> |
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In September 2017, SES announced the next generation of O3b satellites and service. Named [[O3b mPOWER]], the new constellation of (initially) seven [[medium Earth orbit|MEO]] satellites built by [[Boeing Satellite Development Center|Boeing Satellite Systems]] will deliver 10 terabits of capacity globally through 30,000 spot beams for broadband internet services. O3b mPOWER is expected to launch in 2021.<ref>[http://spacenews.com/ses-building-a-10-terabit-o3b-mpower-constellation/ ''SES building a 10-terabit O3b "mPOWER" constellation''] Space News 11 September 2017. Accessed 30 October 2017</ref> |
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On 11 October 2017, a flight-proven (refurbished) [[SpaceX]] [[Falcon 9]] rocket launched the [[SES-11]] satellite to the geostationary orbital position of 105.0° West. The launch was originally set for late 2016 but suffered a year-long delay because of SpaceX's September 2016 Falcon 9 explosion. SES-11 was built by [[Airbus Defence and Space]] and is a dual mission satellite, with 24 Ku-band transponders marketed by [[EchoStar]] as [[SES-11|EchoStar 105]] to replace capacity on SES' [[SES Americom|AMC-15]] satellite, and 24 C-band transponders marketed by SES as SES-11 for replacement capacity for [[AMC-18]] delivering video, especially [[High-definition television|HD]] and [[Ultra-high-definition television|UHD]], to the [[United States]], [[Mexico]] and the [[Caribbean]].<ref>[http://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-third-pre-flown-rocket-with-echostar-ses-satellite-lands-booster/ ''SpaceX launches third pre-flown rocket with EchoStar-SES satellite, lands booster''] Space News 11 October 2017. Accessed 31 October 2017</ref> Following positioning at 105.0° West and in-orbit testing, SES-11 was declared fully operational on 29 November 2017.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=29 November 2017|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/echostar-105ses-11-now-operational-105-degrees-west|title=EchoStar 105/SES-11 Now Operational at 105.0° West|access-date=29 November 2017}}</ref> |
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In February 2018, SES teamed up with [[Intelsat]] (later joined by [[Eutelsat]] in July 2018) for a proposal to [[United States]] [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) to form a consortium of satellite service providers to protect the quality and reliability of existing video and audio services to United States households [[downlink]]ing in the 3700-4200 MHz [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]] spectrum while enabling wireless operators to access 100 MHz of C-band spectrum for deployment of next generation [[5G]] services in the United States.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/telecom/2018/02/09/ses-intelsat-execs-hail-proactive-c-band-initiative/ ''SES and Intelsat Execs Hail "Proactive" C-Band Initiative''] Via Satellite 9 February 2018. Accessed 30 July 2018</ref><ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/telecom/2018/07/12/eutelsat-welcomed-to-intelsat-and-ses-c-band-proposal/ ''Eutelsat Welcomed to Intelsat and SES' C-band Proposal''] Via Satellite 12 July 2018. Accessed 30 July 2018</ref> |
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In March 2018, [[Saint Martin (island)|Saint Martin]]-based satellite TV provider [[KiwiSAT]] launched a new DTH platform to deliver about 130 channels (including 90 HD channels) of TV entertainment to consumers across the Caribbean using the SES-10 satellite at 67.0° West.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/broadcasting/2018/04/05/kiwisat-launches-dth-offering-in-the-caribbean-via-ses-10/ ''Kiwisat Launches DTH Offering in the Caribbean Via SES 10''] Via Satellite. 5 April 2018. Accessed 31 January 2019</ref> |
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In May 2018, SES broadcast an [[Ultra-high-definition television|8K]] television signal via its satellite system for the first time, as part of its Industry Days conference at the Luxembourg HQ. The 8K demonstration content, with a resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels, a frame rate of 60 frames per second and 10-bit colour depth, was encoded in HEVC and transmitted at a rate of 80 Mbit/s via the [[Astra 3B]] satellite.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-showcases-its-first-broadcast-8k-television|title=SES Showcases its First Broadcast of 8K Television|publisher=SES|date=23 May 2018 |access-date=26 June 2018}}</ref> |
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In September 2018, in response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking of July 2018 from the United States [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) to make the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz spectrum available for next-generation terrestrial fixed and mobile broadband services,<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=FCC|date=12 July 2018|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-352520A1.pdf|title=FCC PROPOSES EXPANDING FLEXIBLE USE OF MID-BAND SPECTRUM|access-date=2 November 2018}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> SES, along with [[Intelsat]], [[Eutelsat]] and [[Telesat]] - together providing the majority of C-band satellite services in the United States, including media distribution reaching 100 million United States households - established the C-Band Alliance (CBA). The consortium's proposal to the FCC is to act as a facilitator for the clearing and repurposing of a 200 MHz portion of C-band spectrum to accelerate the deployment of next generation [[5G]] services while protecting incumbent users and their content distribution and data networks in the US from potential interference.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=27 September 2018|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/intelsat-ses-eutelsat-and-telesat-establish-c-band-alliance-cba-consortium-facilitate|title=Intelsat, SES, Eutelsat and Telesat Establish the C-Band Alliance (CBA), a Consortium to Facilitate Clearing of U.S. Mid-band Spectrum for 5G While Protecting U.S. Content Distribution and Data Networks|access-date=2 November 2018}}</ref><ref>[https://c-bandalliance.com/ C-Band Alliance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230081207/https://c-bandalliance.com/ |date=30 December 2018 }}. Accessed 2 November 2018</ref> |
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In April 2019, four [[O3b]] [[medium Earth orbit]] (MEO) satellites were launched by [[Arianespace]] at the [[Guiana Space Centre|Centre Spatial Guyanais]] in [[Kourou]], French Guiana to complete the [[satellite constellation|constellation]] of 20 first generation satellites for the SES-owned network communications service provider.<ref>[https://www.space.com/arianespace-soyuz-launches-4-ses-satellites.html ''Four New Satellites Ride Into Space To Join Growing SES Constellation''] Space.com 4 April 2019. Accessed 26 April 2019</ref> |
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In May 2019, for the first time in Europe, [[Ultra-high-definition television|8K]] demonstration content was received via satellite without the need for a separate external receiver or decoder. At the 2019, SES Industry Days conference at [[Betzdorf, Luxembourg|Betzdorf]], [[Luxembourg]] broadcast quality 8K content (with a resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels at 50 frames/s) was encoded using a Spin Digital HEVC encoder (at a bit rate of 70 Mbit/s), uplinked to a single 33 MHz transponder on SES' [[Astra 28.2°E]] satellites and the downlink received and displayed on a [[Samsung Electronics|Samsung]] 82in Q950RB production model TV.<ref>[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2019/05/14/ses-showcases-8k-content-over-satellite/ ''SES showcases 8K content over satellite''] Broadband TV News. 14 May 2019. Accessed 4 June 2019</ref> |
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In September 2019, SES announced it had partnered with satellite payload and network management systems developer, Kythera Space Solutions to develop the ARC (Adaptive Resource Control) software to enable the dynamic control and optimisation of power, throughput, beams and frequency allocation on [[O3b mPOWER]], [[SES-17]] and other future high-throughput satellites and their networks, autonomously optimizing space and ground resources, on-the-fly, in accordance with customers' changing needs.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=5 September 2019 |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-enhance-and-expand-o3b-mpower-system-capabilities-dynamic-software-innovation|title=SES to Enhance and Expand O3b mPOWER System Capabilities with Dynamic Software Innovation|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref><ref>[https://news.satnews.com/2020/11/24/ses-satellites-agility-achieved-by-working-with-kythera-space-solutions/ ''SES’ Satellites’ Agility Achieved With ARC and Kythera Space Solutions''] Satnews, 24 November 2020, Accessed 31 March 2021</ref> |
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In September 2019, SES became a [[Microsoft Azure]] ExpressRoute services partner to provide dedicated, private network connectivity from sea vessels, aircraft, and industrial or government sites anywhere in the world to the Azure [[cloud computing]] service, via both its geostationary and [[O3b]] medium Earth orbit satellites.<ref>[https://advanced-television.com/2019/09/09/ses-extends-reach-of-microsoft-azure-expressroute/ ''SES extends reach of Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute''] Advanced Television 9 September 2019. Accessed 28 October 2020</ref> |
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In September 2019, SES announced a new [[Free-to-view]] DTH platform on [[Astra 1N]] at [[Astra 19.2°E|19.2° East]], encrypted using [[Verimatrix]] and carrying 30-40 channels from Russian-language [[Over-the-top media services|OTT]] broadcaster Kartina TV for Russian-speaking diaspora across Europe with limited broadband connectivity.<ref>[https://advanced-television.com/2019/09/30/kartina-tv-expands-coverage-with-ses/ ''Kartina TV expands coverage with SES''] Advanced Television. 30 September 2019. Accessed 2 October 2019</ref> |
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In September 2019, the media technical services provider [[MX1 Ltd|MX1]], a wholly owned subsidiary of SES, was merged into the SES Video division, dropping the MX1 brand and providing all broadcast and streamed content management, playout, distribution, and monetisation services under the SES name.<ref>[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2019/09/24/mx1-and-ses-to-merge/ ''MX1 and SES to ‘merge’''] Broadband TV News. 24 September 2019. Accessed 30 October 2019</ref> |
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In May 2020, SES released the results of the 2019 Satellite Monitor TV reception survey, which for the first time covered the [[Philippines]]. The survey found satellite TV is the second-most popular mode of TV reception in the Philippines with 17% of over 20.8 million TV households, behind terrestrial TV (66%), and that broadcasts from SES satellites reach 98% of Filipino satellite TV households.<ref>[https://www.adobomagazine.com/philippine-news/intelligence-filipino-households-with-satellite-tv-are-the-most-satisfied-according-to-report-by-ses/ 'Intelligence: Filipino households with satellite TV are the most satisfied, according to report by SES'] adobo magazine. 29 May 2020. Accessed 30 May 2020</ref> |
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On 26 May 2020, SES elected to clear a portion of the [[C band (IEEE)|C-Band]] spectrum in the United States, currently used for satellite TV services, in accordance with the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) order for the accelerated release of the 3.7-4.0 GHz portion of the band for [[5G]] mobile broadband services. The SES Board of Directors approved US$1.6 billion for the procurement and launch of new satellites and other equipment and services for the migration of existing customers using the spectrum, which will be reimbursable through the FCC Clearinghouse.<ref>[https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200525005322/en/ 'SES Elects to Accelerate Clearing of C-Band Spectrum in Support of FCC's 5G Plan for the US'] Business Wire. 26 May 2020. Accessed 30 May 2020</ref> In June 2020, SES announced that four new C-band satellites had been ordered for this purpose from United States manufacturers, [[Boeing Satellite Development Center|Boeing]] and [[Northrop Grumman]]. SES-18 and SES-19 will be [[GEOStar-3]] satellites designed, assembled, and tested by Northrop Grumman, and SES-20 and SES-21 will be all-electric [[Boeing 702#702SP|702SP]] satellites from Boeing. Each satellite will have ten 36 MHz C-band transponders for delivery of digital TV and data services, and will be launched in 2022 to orbital slots at 103.0° West, 131.0° West and 135.0° West.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/5g/2020/06/16/ses-selects-northrop-grumman-and-boeing-to-manufacture-c-band-satellites/ ''SES Selects Northrop Grumman and Boeing to Manufacture C-Band Satellites''] Voa Satellite. 16 June 2020. Accessed 28 March 2022</ref> |
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In July 2020, SES launched a free-to-air information channel, Fight COVID-19, across several satellites to combat the global [[Coronavirus disease 2019|coronavirus]] [[COVID-19 pandemic|pandemic]]. Available to millions of households across Africa, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, and providing underserved and rural communities with critical information about how to limit the spread of the virus, the content is provided by trusted organisations such as [[UNICEF]], [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] and other international and regional organisations. The channel is broadcast from [[SES-5]] (5.0° East) for Sub-Saharan Africa, [[Astra 4A]] ([[Astra 5°E|5.0° East]]) for Europe and [[Ukraine]], [[Astra 2F]] ([[Astra 28.2°E|28.2° East]]) for West Africa, [[List of SES satellites|NSS-12]] (57.0° East) for [[Ethiopia]] and adjacent countries, and [[SES-9]] (108.2° East) for the Philippines.<ref>[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2020/07/14/ses-launches-fta-channel-to-combat-covid-19/ ''SES launches FTA channel to combat Covid-19''] Broadband TV News. 14 July 2020. Accessed 30 July 2020</ref> |
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In August 2020, SES ordered two [[C band (IEEE)|C-Band]] [[Geostationary orbit|geostationary]] TV satellites from [[Thales Alenia Space]]. SES-22 and SES-23 are the last of six satellites SES needs to relocate existing C-band services from a portion of the C-band spectrum in accordance with the [[Federal Communications Commission]]'s plans to repurpose the frequencies for [[5G]] cellular networks.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/ses-taps-thales-alenia-space-for-final-two-c-band-replacement-satellites/ ''SES taps Thales Alenia Space for final two C-band replacement satellites''] SoaceNews. 7 August 2020. Accessed 28 March 2022</ref> |
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In August 2020 SES contracted [[Boeing Satellite Development Center|Boeing]] to build four [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites in addition to the seven already under construction. [[SpaceX]] was contracted for an additional two launches, to make four launches for the whole O3b mPOWER constellation in 2021–2024.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2020-08-07-Boeing-to-Build-Four-Additional-702X-Satellites-for-SES|title=Boeing to Build Four Additional 702X Satellites for SES's O3b mPOWER Fleet|work=Boeing |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=20 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="mP launch">[https://spacenews.com/ses-taps-spacex-for-two-additional-falcon-9-launches/ ''SES taps SpaceX for two additional Falcon 9 launches''] Space News. 20 August 2020. Accessed 20 August 2020</ref> |
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In September 2020, SES and Microsoft announced that SES was the [[medium Earth orbit]] connectivity partner for the [[Microsoft Azure#Azure Orbital|Microsoft Azure Orbital]] ground station service that enables network operators to control their satellite operations and capacity from within the Azure [[cloud computing]] service. Under their agreement, SES and Microsoft will jointly invest in Azure Orbital ground stations for the MEO and Earth Observation segments, initially in the US, which will be installed and managed by SES. Also, satellite telemetry, tracking and control systems and data ground stations for the [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites will be located with Microsoft's Azure edge sites to provide O3b mPOWER customers with [[Multi-hop routing|‘one-hop’]] access to Azure cloud services.<ref>[https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/introducing-azure-orbital-process-satellite-data-at-cloudscale/ ''Introducing Azure Orbital: Process satellite data at cloud-scale''] Microsoft 22 September 2020. Accessed 28 October 2020</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-becomes-microsoft-azure-orbital-founding-connectivity-partner|title=SES Becomes Microsoft Azure Orbital Founding Connectivity Partner |date=22 September 2020 |access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref> |
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In February 2021, SES agreed multi-year extension capacity contracts worth over €66 million with European public service broadcasters including [[ARD (broadcaster)|ARD]], [[BBC]], [[BVN]], [[France 24]], [[TV5Monde]] and [[ZDF]]<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/broadcasting/2021/02/22/ses-wins-slew-of-european-public-broadcast-deals/ ''SES Wins Slew of European Public Broadcast Deals''] Via Satellite, 22 February 2021, Accessed 24 March 2021</ref> |
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In March 2021, the [[Luxembourg]] government further extended the contract with SES to provide the [[Satmed]] satellite [[eHealth]] platform to improve public health in remote areas of developing countries until 2024, with a €6.5 billion budget and plans for additional functionalities and deployments, and new partnerships with both more [[Non-governmental organization|NGOs]] and supranational organisations to provide regional or cross-country support.<ref>[https://delano.lu/article/delano_satmed-20-scaling-e-health-resource-poor-areas ''Satmed 2.0: scaling up e-health in resource-poor areas''] Delano. 31 March 2021. Accessed 31 July 2022</ref> |
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In June 2021, SES joined the [[Amazon Web Services]] Direct Connect Delivery Partner programme, to provide customers access to AWS cloud-based applications and services from locations around the world with limited or no terrestrial communications, claiming to be the first satellite operator to do so. The service is provided via SES' geostationary satellites and the [[O3b]] [[medium Earth orbit]] satellites and also gives cloud providers a backup network if their infrastructure fails.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/ses-strengthens-amazon-web-services-cloud-partnership/ ''SES strengthens Amazon Web Services cloud partnership''] SpaceNews. 18 June 2021. Accessed 28 June 2021</ref> |
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In July 2021, SES entered into a capacity agreement with Indian public sector enterprise, [[NewSpace India Limited]] (NSIL) for 9 transponders on the [[SES-8]] satellite at 95°E, for distribution of satellite TV services across India and the thriving [[direct-to-home]] market.<ref>[https://advanced-television.com/2021/07/29/ses-transponder-deal-with-newspace-india/ ''SES transponder deal with NewSpace India''] Advanced Television. 29 July 2021. Accessed 31 July 2021</ref> |
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In August 2021, [[Microsoft]] became the first [[cloud computing]] provider customer for SES' [[O3b]] [[medium Earth orbit]] satellite system, with Microsoft buying managed satellite connectivity services from SES for the [[Microsoft Azure]] cloud service. Microsoft is initially using the existing first generation O3b satellites, before upgrading to the faster broadband speeds from the [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites when they come into operation in 2022.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/o3b-mpower-get-first-cloud-customer-on-track-for-launch-even-as-covid-19-issues-loom/ ''O3b mPOWER get first cloud customer, on track for launch even as COVID-19 issues loom''] SpaceNews. 17 August 2021. Accessed 2 September 2021</ref> |
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In September 2021, the wholly-owned direct-to-consumer HD service in Germany, [[HD+]] launched the HD+ ToGo app for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets giving existing subscribers access to the platform's 50 HD channels, along with catch-up services and online functions, on mobile devices for an additional fee.<ref>[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/08/31/hd-to-launch-streaming-service-for-mobile-devices/ ''HD+ to launch streaming service for mobile devices''] Broadband TV News. 31 August 2021. Accessed 29 September 2021</ref> |
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In October 2021, the SES-17 satellite was launched from the [[Guiana Space Centre]] in [[Kourou]], [[French Guiana]], SES's first geostationary [[Ka-band]] [[high-throughput satellite]]. SES-17 has an all-electric propulsion system and will reach its 67.1°W position in [[geostationary orbit]] in mid-2022, providing coverage for aeronautical, maritime, enterprise, and government markets across the Americas, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. It has a fully digital payload with nearly 200 reprogrammable [[spot beam]]s that can be freely interconnected and changed in power and frequency in real-time to adapt to changing customer demands, and will operate in conjunction with SES's [[O3b mPOWER]] [[medium Earth orbit]] satellites as a multi-orbit system.<ref>[https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-and-thales-unveil-next-generation-capabilities-onboard-ses-17 ''SES AND THALES UNVEIL NEXT-GENERATION CAPABILITIES ONBOARD SES-17''] Thales 4 April 2017 Accessed 25 February 2021</ref><ref>[https://spacenews.com/ses-17-takes-flight-with-eyes-on-soaring-commercial-aviation-market/ ''SES-17 takes flight with eyes on soaring commercial aviation market''] Space News. 25 October 2021. Accessed 30 October 2021</ref> |
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In November 2021, SES ordered two replacement satellites from [[Thales Alenia Space]] for launch in 2024 to SES's original orbital position at [[Astra 19.2°E|19.2°E]] and service well into the 2040s. Like the satellites currently at the Astra 19.2°E slot ([[Astra 1KR]], [[Astra 1L]], [[Astra 1M]], and [[Astra 1N]] - all launched 10–15 years ago, with the older two at the end of their planned life), [[Astra 1P]] will provide [[direct-to-home]] broadcast TV to Europe, in particular Germany, France and Spain. Astra 1Q is a reconfigurable software defined satellite with both wide beams for broadcast TV and [[High-throughput satellite|high-throughput]] spot beams for video and data customers.<ref>[https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/press-release/thales-alenia-space-build-state-art-astra-1p-and-astra-1q-satellites ''THALES ALENIA SPACE TO BUILD STATE-OF-THE-ART ASTRA 1P AND ASTRA 1Q SATELLITES FOR SES''] Thales. 18 November 2021. Accessed 27 November 2021</ref><ref>[https://spacenews.com/ses-orders-two-replacement-satellites-for-broadcast-market/ ''SES orders two replacement satellites for broadcast market''] SpaceNews. 18 November 2021.Accessed 27 November 2021</ref> |
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In November 2021, SES announced that wholly owned subsidiary [[HD+]], the premium HD and UHD satellite TV service for German users, would start a new service, HD+ IP, in December 2021 to stream HD+ channels to viewers' TV sets through a smart TV app without the need for a dish or set-top box, for a subscription of €6 per month.<ref>[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/11/08/hd-unbundles-from-satellite-and-launches-ip-service/ ''SES unbundles HD+ from satellite and launches IP service''] Broadband TV News. 8 November 2021. Accessed 28 February 2022</ref> |
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In December 2021, SES's wholly owned subsidiary SES Government Solutions (now SES Space & Defense) announced that the US Army has conducted trials of commercial [[satellite constellation]]s in multiple orbits, including SES's [[O3b]] [[medium Earth orbit]] satellites, as part of the effort to establish [[Reorganization plan of United States Army#Multi-domain operations (MDO)|Multi-Domain Operations]].<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2021/12/07/us-army-uses-ses-meo-technology-in-multi-orbit-tests/ ''US Army Uses SES MEO Technology in Multi-Orbit Tests''] Via Satellite. 7 December 2021. Accessed 31 December 2021</ref> |
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In December 2021, [[Honeywell]], [[Hughes Network Systems]] and SES demonstrated multi-orbit high-speed airborne connectivity for military customers using [[Honeywell JetWave|Honeywell's JetWave MCX]] terminal and a Hughes HM-series modem, and SES satellites in both [[medium Earth orbit]] (MEO) and [[geostationary orbit]] (GEO). The tests achieved full duplex data rates of more than 40 megabits per second via a number of SES' (GEO) satellites including [[GovSat-1]], and the high-throughput, low-latency [[O3b]] MEO [[satellite constellation]], with connections moving between GEO/MEO links in under 30 sec.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2021/12/20/honeywell-ses-and-hughes-demonstrate-meo-to-geo-satellite-switching-for-military-customers/ ''Honeywell, SES, and Hughes Demonstrate MEO to GEO Satellite Switching for Military Customers''] Via Satellite. 20 December 2021. Accessed 31 January 2022</ref> |
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In February 2022, SES formed a joint venture with India's biggest [[Telephone company|telco]], [[Jio Platforms]] (JPL). The newly formed Jio Space Technology Limited will deliver broadband services in India of up to 100 Gbit/s capacity, using the SES-12 [[High-throughput satellite|high-throughput]] [[Geostationary orbit|geostationary]] satellite and the [[O3b mPOWER]] [[medium Earth orbit]] [[satellite constellation]], to extend JPL's terrestrial network, enhancing access to digital services in unconnected areas within India and the region. JPL and SES will own 51% and 49% equity stake respectively in the new company.<ref>[https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252513370/Jio-SES-forge-joint-venture-for-satellite-based-broadband-services-across-India ''Jio and SES forge joint venture for satellite-based broadband services across India''] Computer Weekly. 14 February 2022. Accessed 30 April 2022</ref> |
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In February 2022, [[Orange S.A.|Orange]] announced that, along with SES, it will deploy and manage the first gateway in Africa for SES's [[O3b mPOWER]] [[medium Earth orbit]] [[satellite constellation]], to provide high-speed, low-latency, and cloud-optimised connectivity services across Africa, and to support [[Spacecraft design#Telemetry, tracking, and command|telemetry, tracking and command]] functions for the satellites. The gateway will be located at the [[Sonatel]] teleport in Gandoul, [[Senegal]].<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/ground-systems/2022/02/16/orange-sonatel-partner-with-ses-to-deploy-mpower-gateway-in-senegal/ ''Orange, Sonatel Partner With SES to Deploy mPOWER Gateway in Senegal''] ViaSatellite. 16 February 2022. Accessed 28 February 2022</ref> |
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In March 2022, SES announced a deal with mobile operator, [[Verizon Communications|Verizon]] to speed up deployment of 5G services in the US. Under the agreement, SES will install filters and other equipment to Earth Stations across the entire country, to give Verizon access to the 3.7-3.8 GHz [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]] spectrum in key regions ahead of the deadlines for relocation of existing satellite services set out in the [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC's]] [[C band (IEEE)#Cellular telephony|order]] to make part of the C-Band spectrum available for [[5G]] terrestrial fixed and mobile broadband services.<ref>[https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/ses-inks-deal-with-verizon-to-speed-up-access-to-c-band-spectrum-for-5g ''SES Inks Deal with Verizon to Speed up Access to C-Band Spectrum for 5G''] tvtech. 21 March 2022. Accessed 28 March 2022</ref> |
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In March 2022, SES announced the agreement to acquire DRS Global Enterprise Solutions (GES), a US-based subsidiary of defence contractor, [[Leonardo DRS]] for US$450 million. GES provides managed satcom services to the US Defence Department and other government agencies, and when the transaction is concluded (expected towards the end of 2022 after regulatory approvals) the business will be combined with SES subsidiary, SES Government Solutions (now SES Space & Defense), doubling its revenue from the US government and further expanding market access for SES's next-generation [[Medium Earth orbit]] network, [[O3b mPOWER]], which will begin operation at that time.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/ses-to-acquire-leonardo-drs-satcom-business-for-450-million/ ''SES to acquire Leonardo DRS satcom business for $450 million''] SpaceNews. 22 March 2022. Accessed 28 March 2022</ref> |
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In March 2022, SES extended the November 2021 order for two satellites from [[Thales Alenia Space]] with a third satellite, SES-26. With both [[Ku band|Ku-band]] and [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]] transponders, the reconfigurable software-defined satellite will replace [[List of SES satellites#NSS fleet|NSS-12]] at 57°E, providing content delivery and connectivity across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.<ref name="SES26order">[https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/press-release/ses-adds-third-satellite-thales-alenia-space-extend-services-across ''SES ADDS THIRD SATELLITE FROM THALES ALENIA SPACE TO EXTEND SERVICES ACROSS EUROPE, AFRICA AND ASIA''] Thales. 28 March 2022. Accessed 28 March 2022</ref> |
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In May 2022, SES subsidiary, SES Government Solutions (now SES Space & Defense), in partnership with [[Satellite imagery|Earth imaging]] company, [[Planet Labs|Planet Labs PBC]], was awarded a US$28.96 million contract from [[NASA]]'s Communications Services Project for [[Real-time communication|real-time]], [[High availability|always-on]] low-latency connectivity services to NASA spacecraft, using SES's [[geostationary orbit]]ing [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]] satellites and [[medium Earth orbit]]ing [[Ka band|Ka-band]] satellites, including the [[O3b mPOWER]] constellation.<ref>[https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-industry-to-collaborate-on-space-communications-by-2025 ''NASA, Industry to Collaborate on Space Communications by 2025''] NASA. 20 April 2022. Accessed 29 May 2022</ref><ref>[https://advanced-television.com/2022/05/10/ses-wins-nasa-contract/ ''SES wins NASA contract''] Advanced Television. 10 May 2022. Accessed 29 May 2022</ref> |
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In May 2022, in conjunction with [[Kazakhstan]]i mobile network operator, [[Kcell]], SES used the [[O3b]] satellite constellation to demonstrate that [[medium Earth orbit]] satellites could be used to provide high-speed [[3G]] and [[4G]] connectivity to remote regions of Kazakhstan for reliable video calling, conferencing and streaming, and web browsing, with a [[latency (engineering)|latency]] five times lower than on the existing platform based on [[geostationary orbit]] satellites.<ref>[https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2022/05/26/kcell-ses-demo-o3b-satellite-enabled-remote-mobile-services/ ''Kcell, SES demo O3b satellite-enabled remote mobile services''] Comms Update. 26 May 2022. Accessed 30 May 2022</ref><ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=25 May 2022 |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/kcell-and-ses-successfully-demonstrate-cellular-network-connectivity-kazakhstan|title=Kcell and SES Successfully Demonstrate Cellular Network connectivity in Kazakhstan|access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref> |
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In June 2022, the SES-22 satellite was successfully launched from the [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station]] by a [[SpaceX]] [[Falcon 9 Block 5]] rocket. SES-22 will operate at 135° W, and is the first to launch of SES's six [[Geostationary orbit|geostationary]] [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]] satellites (SES-18, SES-19, SES-20, SES-21, SES-22, and SES-23) that will enable existing TV and radio services to be moved from the lower 300 MHz of the C-band spectrum to the upper 200 MHz, as part of the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) programme to make room for the deployment of [[5G]] services across the US.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-ses-22-c-band-replacement-satellite/ ''SpaceX launches SES-22 C-band replacement satellite''] Space News. 29 June 2022. Accessed 30 June 2022</ref><ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=29 June 2022 |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/sess-c-band-satellite-successfully-launched-onboard-spacex-rocket|title=SES's C-band Satellite Successfully Launched Onboard SpaceX Rocket|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref> |
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In August 2022, SES completed the US$450 million acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions (GES) from US defence contractor, [[Leonardo DRS]], after obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. The business will be combined with SES subsidiary, SES Government Solutions (now SES Space & Defense) to create a “scaled solutions provider serving the multi-orbit satellite communications needs of the US Government” and SES's largest data business segment by revenue.<ref>[https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2022/08/02/ses-completes-us450-million-drs-global-acquisition/ ''SES completes US$450 million DRS Global acquisition''] Digital TV Europe. 2 August 2022. Accessed 23 August 2022</ref> |
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In October 2022, the SES-20 and SES-21 satellites were successfully launched on an [[Atlas V]] rocket from [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|Cape Canaveral]]. The two [[Boeing]]-built [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]] satellites are part of SES's programme to clear part of the C-band spectrum for [[5G]] services. SES-20 and SES-21 will be positioned at 103° West and 131° West, respectively, to provide a continued service of TV and radio broadcasts to the US. The satellites were expected to begin operations in November 2022.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2022/10/04/ula-launches-ses-c-band-satellites-ses-20-and-21/ ''ULA Launches SES C-band Satellites SES-20 and -21''] Via Satellite. 4 October 2022. Accessed 25 October 2022</ref> SES-21 became operational at 131° West on 1 December 2022.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/broadcasting/2022/12/01/c-band-replacement-satellite-ses-21-is-now-in-service/ ''C-Band Replacement Satellite SES-21 is Now in Service''] Via Satellite. 1 December 2022. Accessed 3 December 2022</ref> SES-20 arrived at the 103° West orbital slot on 5 January 2023 where it will serve as an in-orbit spare satellite in case of failure of other SES satellites used in the C-band clearance programme.<ref>[https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2023/01/05/ses-announces-that-ses-20-satellite-has-arrived-at-targeted-location/ ''SES announces that SES-20 satellite has arrived at targeted location'']. 5 January 2023. Accessed 30 January 2023</ref> |
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In October 2022, SES announced that it had launched a content distribution platform dedicated to sports and events, providing coverage over Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, for customers including broadcasters, professional sports leagues, national and international sports associations, and sports rights holders.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/broadcasting/2022/10/18/ses-targets-events-and-sports-with-new-platform/ ''SES Targets Events and Sports with New Platform''] Via Satellite. 18 October 2022. Accessed 26 October 2022</ref> |
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In December 2022, following the acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions in August 2022, and its merger into SES Government Solutions, the combined subsidiary company was renamed SES Space & Defense, and restructured into two business units, Space Initiatives (using SES's multi-orbit satellite fleet and infrastructure) and Defense Networks (providing multi-operator managed services and end-to-end mission communications).<ref>[https://spacenews.com/ses-government-unit-rebranded-as-ses-space-defense/ ''SES government unit rebranded as SES Space & Defense''] Space News. 8 December 2022. Accessed 31 December 2022</ref> |
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On 16 December 2022, the first two [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites were successfully launched from [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station]] in Florida at 5:48 pm local time. It is expected to take approximately six months for each satellite to reach its designated [[medium Earth orbit]] and for commissioning, and the O3b mPower service to start in Q3 2023.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-first-pair-of-o3b-mpower-satellites/ ''SpaceX launches first pair of O3b mPower satellites''] SpaceNews. 16 December 2022. Accessed 17 December 2022</ref> |
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=== Recent events === |
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In January 2023, SES announced an agreement with High View, the Munich-based owner of the [[Deluxe Music]] channel, to lease additional capacity on the [[Astra 19.2°E]] satellites for four new music channels, Deluxe Dance by Kontor, Deluxe Flashback, Deluxe Rock and Deluxe Rap. Aimed at German-speaking viewers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the new channels started on 1 February 2023 and broadcast [[free-to-air]].<ref>[https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2023/01/26/high-view-to-broadcast-more-channels-with-new-ses-agreement/ ''High View to broadcast more channels with new SES agreement'']. Digital TV Europe. 26 January 2023. Accessed 30 January 2023</ref> In February, High View announced that its streamed travel and documentary channels, Xplore, Hip Trips and One Terra will also broadcast free-to-air via [[Astra 19.2°E]] from 1 March 1, 2023.<ref>[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2023/02/27/high-view-to-distribute-fast-channels-via-astra/ ''High View to distribute FAST Channels via Astra''] Broadband TV News. 27 February 2023. Accessed 28 February 2023</ref> |
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On 26 January 2023, the [[Astra 2D]] satellite was decommissioned and retired to a [[graveyard orbit]] more than 22 years after its launch in December 2000. Astra 2D was built for SES by Hughes Space and Communications (now [[Boeing Satellite Development Center]]) with a design life of 15 years providing [[direct-to-home]] digital TV distribution from the [[Astra 28.2°E]] orbital position. It was the last commercial [[Spin stabilization|spin-stabilised]] spacecraft built by Hughes and, at the time of its retirement, the only one still in operation.<ref name="2Dretire">[https://onfirstup.com/boeing/BNN/articles/the-end-of-an-era-commercial-spinning-spacecraft-retires-1 ''The end of an era: Commercial spinning spacecraft retires''] Boeing. 26 January 2023. Accessed 26 February 2023</ref> |
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In February 2023, SES notified the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) that the deployment plan for the SES-18 and SES-19 satellites (to be launched as part of the C-band clearance programme) had been revised from the FCC licence granted in March 2022. SES-18 would now be positioned at 103°W (previously to be deployed at 131°W) and SES-19 will be at 135°W (previously 103°W).<ref name=18posn>[https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51648.0;attach=2160045;sess=54281 ''Fleet Management Notice of SES Americom, Inc to Modify SES-18 Fixed-Satellite Space Station License''] Federal Communications Commission 1 February 2023. Accessed 27 February 2023</ref><ref name=19posn>[https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51648.0;attach=2160046;sess=54281 ''Fleet Management Notice of SES Americom, Inc to Modify SES-19 Fixed-Satellite Space Station License''] Federal Communications Commission 1 February 2023. Accessed 27 February 2023</ref> |
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In March 2023, SES successfully launched the SES-18 and SES-19 satellites on a [[SpaceX]] [[Falcon 9]] rocket from [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station]]. Built by [[Northrop Grumman]], the two [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]] [[GEOStar-3]] satellites are the final satellites to be launched in SES's programme to relocate existing TV, radio, and data services to America from a portion of the C-band spectrum in accordance with the [[Federal Communications Commission]]'s plans to repurpose the frequencies for [[5G]] networks. Three other satellites (SES-20, SES-21, and SES-22) have already been launched for the C-band clearance programme, and a sixth (SES-23) will be used as a ground spare.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-final-two-satellites-in-ses-c-band-clearing-plan/ ''SpaceX launches final two satellites in SES C-band clearing plan''] SpaceNews. 17 March 2023. Accessed 30 March 2023</ref> |
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In March 2023, SES confirmed that the company was in talks about a merger with rival satellite operator [[Intelsat]].<ref>[https://spacenews.com/ses-confirms-merger-talks-with-intelsat/ ''SES confirms Intelsat merger talks''] SpaceNews. 29 March 2023. Accessed 30 March 2023</ref> In June 2023, it was announced that these discussions had ended.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/intelsat-walks-away-from-ses-merger-talks/ ''Intelsat walks away from SES merger talks''] SpaceNews. 21 June 2023. Accessed 30 June 2023</ref> |
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On 28 April 2023, the third and fourth [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites were successfully launched by [[SpaceX]] [[Falcon 9]] rocket from [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station]] in Florida. The two [[High-throughput satellite|high-throughput]] satellites will join the first two O3b mPOWER craft, launched in December 2022, in [[Medium Earth orbit|medium Earth orbit (MEO)]] to provide connectivity services beginning later in the year.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-second-set-of-o3b-mpower-satellites/ ''SpaceX launches second pair of O3b mPower satellites''] SpaceNews. 28 April 2023. Accessed 28 April 2023</ref><ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=28 April 2023|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/sess-third-and-fourth-o3b-mpower-satellites-successfully-launched|title=SES’s Third and Fourth O3b mPOWER Satellites Successfully Launched|access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref> |
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In June 2023, the launch of the fifth and sixth [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites was delayed. Previously slated for launch in Q2 2023, the fifth and sixth O3b mPOWER satellites are now expected to launch in July or later, to complete the six satellites in orbit required for the start of commercial service in Q3 2023 (later revised to Q4 2023).<ref name="H1 2023">[https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-h1-2023-results ''SES H1 2023 Results''] SES 3 August 2023. Accessed 28 August 2023</ref> The service will be expanded with the launch of further O3b mPOWER satellites - 7 and 8 later in the year, and 9, 10 and 11 in 2024.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/boeing-preparing-to-ship-milestone-o3b-mpower-satellites-for-launch/ ''Boeing preparing to ship milestone O3b mPower satellites for launch''] Space News. 4 May 2023. Accessed 29 June 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.ses.com/our-coverage/launches ''Launches''] SES. Accessed 29 June 2023</ref><ref name="mp56">[https://spacenews.com/luxembourg-approves-program-to-give-nato-o3b-mpower-access/ ''Luxembourg approves program to give NATO O3b mPower access''] Space News. 15 June 2023. Accessed 29 June 2023</ref> |
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In June 2023, SES announced that chief executive officer, Steve Collar was stepping down at the end of June and that Chief Technology Officer, Ruy Pinto would act as Interim CEO until a replacement was found.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=12 June 2023|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-announces-its-chief-executive-officer-steve-collar-step-down|title=SES Announces its Chief Executive Officer Steve Collar to Step Down|access-date=26 February 2024}}</ref> Subsequently, in October 2023, Adel Al-Saleh (CEO at [[T-Systems|T-Systems International]]) was appointed CEO, to take up the position in February 2024.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=13 October 2023 |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-appoints-adel-al-saleh-ceo|title=SES Appoints Adel Al-Saleh as CEO|access-date=26 February 2024}}</ref> |
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In June 2023, SES announced that the Luxembourg Parliament had approved funding of €195m over 10 years for the Medium Earth Orbit Global Services programme to provide capacity on SES' [[O3b mPOWER]] network for defence, security, and disaster recovery, to Luxembourg, its partners and NATO.<ref name="mp56"/> |
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In June 2023, SES announced that the SES-18 C-band satellite became operational at 103°W and that SES-19 had reached its orbital destination at 135°W. Both satellites were launched in March 2023, the last of five SES satellites in the programme to relocate existing satellite services from a portion of the C-band spectrum in accordance with the [[Federal Communications Commission]]'s plans to repurpose the frequencies for [[5G]] networks. With all five satellites deployed (a sixth satellite, SES-23 acts as a 'ground spare'), SES is ahead of the FCC's December 2023 deadline and in line for incentive payments.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/broadcasting/2023/06/27/ses-c-band-satellite-ses-18-enters-service/ ''SES C-Band Satellite SES-18 Enters Service''] Via Satellite. 27 June 2023. Accessed 29 July 2023</ref> |
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In July 2023, SES announced that the new English-language news channel, [[TVRI World]] from Indonesian public broadcaster, [[TVRI]] was broadcast in HD across Europe from the [[Astra 19.2°E]] position and to the Middle East via [[Yahsat 1A|YahSat]] 52.5°E, with SES providing playout services, encoding, content delivery and signal monitoring.<ref>[https://advanced-television.com/2023/07/06/ses-wins-indonesias-tvri-world/ ''SES wins Indonesia’s TVRI World''] Advanced Television. 6 July 2023. Accessed 29 July 2023</ref> |
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In August 2023, SES announced that the start of commercial service of the [[O3b mPOWER]] system would now be by the end of 2023, with the launch of the fifth and sixth O3b mPOWER satellites (required for commercial service) in Q3 2023, and that the [[SES-17]] [[High-throughput satellite|high-throughput]] [[Geostationary orbit|GEO]] satellite (launched 2021) and the O3b mPOWER [[Medium Earth orbit|MEO]] system now have a combined contract backlog of US$1.025 billion.<ref>[https://advanced-television.com/2023/08/03/ses-h1-revenue-rises-10/ ''SES H1: Revenue rises 10%''] Advanced Television. 3 August 2023. Accessed 29 August 2023</ref> |
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In September 2023, SES announced a satellite internet service for cruise lines using both SES' own [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites in [[Medium Earth Orbit|Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)]] and [[SpaceX]]'s [[Starlink]] [[Low Earth Orbit|low Earth orbit (LEO)]] [[satellite constellation]]. Integrated, sold and delivered by SES, the SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink service claims to combine the best features of LEO and MEO orbits to provide high-speed, secure connectivity at up to 3 Gbit/s per ship, to cruise ships anywhere in the world.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/mobility/2023/09/13/ses-teams-up-with-starlink-to-package-connectivity-for-the-cruise-segment/ ''SES Teams Up with Starlink to Package Connectivity for the Cruise Segment''] Via Satellite. 13 September 2023. Accessed 27 February 2024</ref><ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=13 September 2023 |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-introduces-cruise-industrys-first-integrated-meo-leo-service-starlink|title=SES Introduces Cruise Industry’s First Integrated MEO-LEO Service with Starlink|access-date=27 February 2024}}</ref> |
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In October 2023, SES announced that power module problems identified in the first four [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites, already in orbit, had delayed the launch of satellites 5 and 6 until November 2023 and put back the start of commercial service of the whole [[medium Earth orbit]] satellite system (requiring six satellite in orbit) to "early Q2 2024". SES said mitigations would be put in place for the initial satellites to support current and future customers, and that satellites 7 and 8 (to launch H2 2024) and 9-11 (to launch 2025) would be upgraded, and two further satellites (12–13) were to be added to the constellation.<ref>[https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-ytd-2023-results ''SES YTD 2023 Results''] SES 31 October 2023. Accessed 31 October 2023</ref> SES has a claim with insurers for $472 million relating to the O3b mPOWER satellites 1–4.<ref>[https://www.ses.com/sites/default/files/2024-07/SES%20H1%202024%20Results.pdf ''H1 2024 Results''] SES. 1 August 2024. Accessed 30 August 2024</ref> |
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On 12 November 2023, the fifth and sixth [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites were successfully launched from [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station]] in Florida by [[SpaceX]] [[Falcon 9]] rocket. The two satellites will join O3b mPOWER 1 and 2 (launched in December 2022) and O3b mPOWER 3 and 4 (launched in April 2023) in [[Medium Earth orbit|medium Earth orbit (MEO)]] and enable the start of the service in February 2024.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-final-pair-of-o3b-mpower-satellites-needed-for-commercial-services/ ''SpaceX launches final pair of O3b mPower satellites needed for commercial services''] SpaceNews 12 November 2023. Accessed 27 November 2023</ref> |
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In December 2023, SES Space & Defense agreed a five-year contract with the [[U.S. Agency for Global Media|United States Agency for Global Media]] to provide [[Transponder (satellite communications)|transponder]] capacity, [[Ground station#Telecommunications port|teleport]] services, internet connectivity, terrestrial [[Backbone network|backbone]] and end-to-end monitoring and management for the delivery of shortwave AM and FM radio and television broadcasts to a global audience of more than 215 million people across 100 countries.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2023/12/12/ses-space-defense-wins-usagm-media-deal/ ''SES Space & Defense Wins USAGM Media Deal''] Via Satellite. 21 December 2023. Accessed 28 December 2023</ref> |
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In February 2024, Adel Al-Saleh took up the position of SES Chief Executive Officer (following his appointment in October 2023). Interim CEO, Ruy Pinto (previously Chief Technology Officer) became Strategic Advisor to the CEO.<ref>[https://www.ses.com/about-us/management/executive-team ''Executive Team''] SES. Accessed 25 February 2024</ref> |
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In February 2024, SES announced that [[Virgin Voyages]] will be the first cruise line to deploy the SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink PRO internet service that uses both SES' [[O3b mPOWER]] [[Medium Earth Orbit|MEO]] satellites and [[SpaceX]]'s [[Starlink]] [[Low Earth Orbit|LEO]] [[satellite constellation]] to provide cruise passengers with internet, social media and video calls at up to 1.5 Gbit/s per ship.<ref>[https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/02/virgin-voyages-rolls-out-new-improved-internet-package-with-ses/ ''Virgin Voyages Rolls Out New Improved Internet Package with SES''] Cruise Industry News. 26 February 2024. Accessed 27 February 2024</ref> |
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In April 2024, SES announced that the [[O3b mPOWER]] [[medium-Earth orbit]] (MEO) satellite system is operational, and services would be rolled out to customers “in the coming months”. The six O3b mPOWER satellites required for the operational start are in place, with seven more satellites, to increase the system capacity, under construction and due to launch over the next two years.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/connectivity/2024/04/24/ses-o3b-mpower-meo-system-is-now-operational-service-rollout-to-follow/ ''SES’ O3b mPOWER MEO System is Now Operational, Service Rollout to Follow''] Via Satellite. 24 April 2024. Accessed 26 April 2024</ref> |
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In April 2024, SES announced the acquisition of satellite operator, [[Intelsat]] for €2.8 billion ($3.1 billion) cash, expected to complete regulatory clearance in the second half of 2025. With over 100 GEO satellites, 26 MEO satellites, and 13 satellites on order, the combined company's multi-orbit capability will improve competitiveness against rival [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] satellite networks, and has an expected 2024 revenue of €3.8 billion.<ref name="acquisition"/><ref name="analysys"/><ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/finance/2024/04/30/ses-explains-the-strategy-behind-its-long-anticipated-acquisition-of-intelsat/ ''SES Explains the Strategy Behind its Long-Anticipated Acquisition of Intelsat''] Via Satellite. 30 April 2024. Accessed 20 May 2024</ref> |
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In May 2024, SES announced the Open Orbits Inflight Connectivity Network which combines [[Geostationary orbit|GEO]] and [[Medium Earth orbit|MEO]] [[Ka-band]] satellite networks of SES and independent regional operators including NEO Space Group, AeroSat Link, and Hughes Communications India, to enable inflight video and data connectivity to seamlessly move between operators as an aircraft traverses the globe.<ref>[https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2024/05/29/ses-launches-ses-open-orbits-inflight-connectivity-network/ ''SES Launches SES Open Orbits Inflight Connectivity Network''] Digital TV Europe. 29 May 2024. Accessed 30 May 2024</ref> In October 2024, national airlines, [[Thai Airways International|Thai Airways]] and [[Turkish Airlines]] selected SES Open Orbits for aircraft across their fleets.<ref>[https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2024/10/neo-space-group-details-thai-airways-ifc-deal-talks-growth-plans/ ''Neo Space Group details Thai Airways IFC deal; talks growth plans''] Runway Girl Network. 29 October 2024. Accessed 30 October 2024</ref> |
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In June 2024, Astra 1P was successfully launched from [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|Cape Canaveral]] on a [[Falcon 9 Block 5]] rocket, the first Astra satellite to be launched by [[SpaceX]]. Built by [[Thales Alenia Space]], Astra 1P will be positioned at SES' prime [[geostationary orbit|geostationary]] position of [[Astra 19.2°E|19.2°E]], replacing the four satellites currently there, to provide [[direct-to-home]] broadcast TV to Europe, in particular Germany, France and Spain.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2024/06/21/spacex-launches-astra-1p-satellite-for-ses/ ''SpaceX Launches Astra 1P Satellite for SES ''] Via Satellite. 21 June 2024. Accessed 27 June 2024</ref> Using [[Spacecraft electric propulsion|all-electric thrusters]], the satellite took several months to reach geostationary orbit. It was first positioned at 9.5° West for testing, successfully completed in December 2024,<ref>[https://rxtvinfo.com/2024/euro-satellite-astra-1p-fully-operational/ ''Euro-satellite Astra 1P fully operational''] RXTV. 19 December 2024. Accessed 26 December 2024</ref> and then moved towards 19.2° East to begin service.<ref>[https://www.n2yo.com/?s=60086 Real Time Satellite Tracking And Predictions - Astra 1P] Accessed 26 December 2024</ref> |
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In October 2024, SES extended until 2029 its long-established partnership with [[Sky Group|Sky]] to provide multi-transponder capacity at the [[Astra 28.2°E]] orbital position to deliver satellite TV to more than 17 million households across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.<ref>[https://www.satellitetoday.com/connectivity/2024/10/10/broadcaster-sky-taps-ses-for-more-capacity/ ''Broadcaster Sky Taps SES for More Capacity''] Via Satellite. 10 October 2024. Accessed 29 October 2024</ref> |
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In October 2024, the [[European Union]] [[European Commission|Commission]] awarded the [[Concession (contract)|concession contract]] to develop, deploy and operate the EU's proposed secure satellite system, [[IRIS²]] (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite), to the SpaceRISE consortium of satellite operators, SES, [[Hispasat]] and [[Eutelsat]], and European space and telecom companies. Funded by the EU, the [[European Space Agency]] and private financing, the IRIS² [[satellite constellation]] will comprise 290 satellites in multiple orbits, and start service in 2030.<ref>[https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/iris2-european-commission-awards-concession-contract-spacerise-consortium-2024-10-31_en ''IRIS² - the European Commission awards the concession contract to SpaceRISE consortium''] European Commission. 31 October 2024. Accessed 1 November 2024</ref><ref>[https://advanced-television.com/2024/11/01/spacerise-wins-iris2-contract/ ''SpaceRISE wins IRIS² contract''] Advanced Television. 1 November 2024. Accessed 1 November 2024</ref> |
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On 17 December 2024, the seventh and eighth [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites were successfully launched from [[Kennedy Space Center]] in Florida by [[SpaceX]] [[Falcon 9]] rocket. The two satellites, upgraded to address power issues that hampered the previous O3b mPOWER 1-6 satellites (launched 2022–2023), are expected to take about 100 days to join them in [[Medium Earth orbit|medium Earth orbit (MEO)]] providing network services to customer sites across the World.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-redesigned-o3b-mpower-satellites/ ''SpaceX launches redesigned O3b mPower satellites''] SpaceNews 18 December 2024. Accessed 18 December 2024</ref> |
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== Business and services == |
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SES provides services through two business units, SES Video and SES Networks, for video-centric and data-centric markets, respectively.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=6 April 2017 |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-accelerates-its-market-approach-ses-video-and-ses-networks|title=SES Accelerates Its Market Approach with SES Video and SES Networks|access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref> |
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=== SES Video === |
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(48% of revenue)<ref name="2023report"/><br/>SES Video's business comprises video distribution and video services. Video distribution delivers video content via [[Satellite television|Direct-to-Home]], [[Cable television|Direct-to-Cable]] and [[Internet Protocol television]] (IPTV) platforms, and includes wholly owned subsidiary [[HD+]], the direct-to-consumer [[High-definition television|high-definition]] digital [[Satellite television|satellite TV]] platform in [[Germany]]. Video services encompasses technical ground services, such as content management, [[playout]], [[encryption]], [[Telecommunications link|satellite uplinks]] and interactive services, to broadcasters worldwide. |
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SES has been a major player in the development of the [[Satellite television|direct-to-home]] market in Europe and the [[Cable television|cable TV]] and [[Satellite television|Direct-broadcast satellite]] (DBS) markets in the United States. SES satellites transmit a variety of digital formats from [[radio]] to [[Ultra-high-definition television|Ultra High Definition TV]] (UHDTV) and the company has been instrumental in defining technical standards for broadcast and interactive media. |
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At the end of 2022, SES satellites carried over 8000 TV channels, including more than 3000 HD and UHD channels, to more than 1 billion people in 369 million homes globally, or regionally as follows:<ref name=InvPres2023>[https://www.ses.com/sites/default/files/2023-03/Investor-Presentation_March2023.pdf Investor presentation] March 2023. Accessed 27 April 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2023/05/10/ses-reaches-369-million-homes/ ''SES reaches 369 million homes''] Digital TV Europe. 10 May 2023. Accessed 30 May 2023</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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|- |
|- |
||
! Region |
|||
| '''Satellite operating companies''' |
|||
! Homes reached |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| Europe |
|||
! width="300"|[[SES WORLD SKIES]] (100%) |
|||
| 175.8 million |
|||
! width="300"|[[SES Astra]] (100%) |
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|- |
|||
| North America |
|||
| 53.2 million |
|||
|- |
|||
| Africa |
|||
| 49.5 million |
|||
|- |
|||
| Latin America |
|||
| 44 million |
|||
|- |
|||
| Asia Pacific |
|||
| 33.1 million |
|||
|- |
|||
| Middle East |
|||
| 13.4 million |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
In March 2022, SES reported that the breakdown of revenue to SES Video by different sectors was as follows:<ref name=InvPres2023/> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! Sector |
|||
| '''Major regional participations''' |
|||
! Contribution |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| Europe<br>TV platforms and distribution in Europe |
|||
! align="center" width="150"|[[Ciel]] (70%) |
|||
| 57% |
|||
! align="center" width="150"|[[Quetzsat]] (49%) |
|||
|- |
|||
! align="center" width="150"|[[SES Sirius]] (90%) |
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| International<br>content delivery to Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa and Middle East |
|||
! align="center" width="150"|[[Solaris Mobile]] (50%) |
|||
| 19% |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[HD+]]<br>premium HD and UHD satellite TV service for German users |
|||
| 13% |
|||
|- |
|||
| North America<br>US direct-to-cable TV distribution |
|||
| 8% |
|||
|- |
|||
| Sports and Events<br>global distribution of live sports, news, and events |
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| 3% |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
=== SES Networks === |
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(52% of revenue)<ref name="2023report"/><br/>SES Networks provides capacity-on-demand and managed connectivity services in markets as follows:<ref name="CoBroch2017"/><ref>[https://www.ses.com/networks/aero ‘’Building brands with a premium in-air experience’’] SES. Accessed 28 March 2018</ref> |
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*telecommunications (e.g. [[Backhaul (telecommunications)|mobile backhaul]]) |
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*[[cloud computing]] (e.g. [[Microsoft Azure#Azure Orbital|Microsoft Azure Orbital]]) |
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*air travel (e.g. airline passenger entertainment) |
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*maritime (e.g. shipping, holiday cruises) |
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*remote industrial (e.g. energy, mining) |
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*civil government and defence (e.g. through SES Space & Defense (previously, SES Government Solutions)) |
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*humanitarian operations (e.g. [[Satmed]]) |
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In particular, SES Networks uses the [[O3b]] and [[O3b mPOWER]] satellites in [[medium Earth orbit]] (with a [[Network delay|latency]] of less than 150 ms) and SES-17 and [[SES-16|GovSat]] in [[geostationary orbit]].<ref name=InvPres2023/> |
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In March 2022, SES reported that the breakdown of revenue to SES Networks by different sectors was as follows:<ref name=InvPres2023/> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! Sector |
|||
| '''Satellite service companies''' |
|||
! Contribution |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| Government<br>secure civil and defence connectivity (70% US, 30% other countries) |
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! align="center" width="120"|[[Americom Government Services]] (100%) |
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| 40% |
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! align="center" width="120"|[[APS]] (100%) |
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|- |
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! align="center" width="120"|[[SES Astra Broadband Services]] (100%) |
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| Fixed data<br>networks for clients across US (40%), Africa & Middle East (20%), Americas and Asia-Pacific (20%), ROW (20%) |
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! align="center" width="120"|[[ND SatCom]] (100%) |
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| 32% |
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! align="center" width="120"|[[SES Astra TechCom]] (100%) |
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|- |
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| Mobility<br>connectivity for passengers and mobile businesses (50% aero, 50% marine) |
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| 28% |
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|} |
|} |
||
=== Business reach=== |
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SES has customers across the World, with revenue by country in 2023 (according to clients' billing addresses) as follows:<ref name="2023report"/> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
|||
|- |
|||
! Country |
|||
! Revenue |
|||
|- |
|||
| Luxembourg |
|||
| €49 million |
|||
|- |
|||
| US |
|||
| €759 million |
|||
|- |
|||
| Germany |
|||
| €329 million |
|||
|- |
|||
| UK |
|||
| €214 million |
|||
|- |
|||
| France |
|||
| €75 million |
|||
|- |
|||
| Others (Europe) |
|||
| €205 million |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| Others (ROW) |
|||
| €396 million |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
== |
== Innovations == |
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SES has pioneered many industry technological developments, including [[Direct-broadcast satellite television|DTH]] transmission, [[Co-location (satellite)|co-location]] of satellites, [[free-to-air]] broadcast neighbourhoods, [[Digital television|digital broadcasting]], [[High-definition television|HDTV]]<ref name=book>''High Above – The untold story of Astra, Europe's leading satellite company'' Broadgate Publications April 2010</ref> and [[3D television|3DTV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/04/21/astra-offially-announces-3d-channel/|title=Astra confirms 3D demo channel launch |author=Robert Briel|work=Broadband TV News|date=21 April 2010 |access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/SES_WORLD_SKIES_To_Host_Extensive_3D_TV_Tests_999.html|title=SES WORLD SKIES To Host Extensive 3D TV Tests|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref> SES has also helped develop innovative reception technology such as the first home dish [[Low-noise block downconverter|LNBFs]], [[Low-noise block downconverter|Universal LNBs]], [[Fibre satellite distribution|optical fibre signal distribution]] and the [[Sat-IP]] system for receiving and distributing satellite signals over home computer networks. |
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=== Building the satellite neighbourhood 1985–1990 === |
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SES was formed on the initiative and support of the [[Luxembourg|Luxembourg Government]] in 1985 as ''Société Européenne des Satellites'' (SES). The Luxembourg State remains a major [[shareholder]]. As Europe’s first private satellite operator, SES launched '''ASTRA 1A''', its first satellite, in 1988. ASTRA 1A entered service at the orbital position 19.2° East in 1989. [[Rupert Murdoch|Rupert Murdoch’s]] [[SKY TV]], along with German broadcasters [[Pro7]], [[Sat. 1]], and [[RTL Group|RTL]] were among ASTRA’s first major customers. |
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SES has pioneered the broadcast of [[Ultra-high-definition television|Ultra High Definition TV]] (UHDTV) and helped to establish the international technical standards for UHDTV broadcast and reception. SES first produced demonstration UHDTV broadcasts in 2012, transmitted the first [[High Efficiency Video Coding|HEVC]]-standard UHDTV in 2013, via [[Astra 19.2°E|Astra 19.2° East]],<ref>[https://www.worldteleport.org/news/122945/SES-to-pioneer-first-Ultra-HD-transmission-in-new-standard-at-SES-Industry-Days.htm ''SES to pioneer first Ultra HD transmission in new standard at SES Industry Days''] World Teleport Association. 19 April 2013. Accessed 28 July 2022</ref> and the first next generation [[8K resolution#Resolutions|8K]] Ultra HD demo in May 2018, via the [[Astra 3B]] satellite at [[Astra 23.5°E|23.5°E]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-showcases-its-first-broadcast-8k-television|title=SES Showcases its First Broadcast of 8K Television|publisher=SES|date=23 May 2018|access-date=28 July 2022}}</ref> SES broadcast the first live UHDTV satellite broadcast in November 2014 ([[Linkin Park]]’s concert at the [[Mercedes-Benz Arena (Berlin)|O2 World in Berlin]])<ref>[https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2014/11/13/ses-to-broadcast-live-uhd-4k-concert/ ''SES to broadcast live UHD 4K concert''] Digital TV Europe. 13 November 2014. Accessed 28 July 2022</ref> and Europe's first free-to-air Ultra HD channel, Pearl TV, launched in September 2015 via [[Astra 19.2°E|Astra 19.2° East]]<ref>[https://www.digitaltvnews.net/?p=26160 ''Europe’s first free-to-air UHD channel to go live at IFA''] Digital TV News.8 Julky 2015. Accessed 28 July 2022</ref> A continuous UHDTV demonstration channel has broadcast to Europe from SES's [[Astra 19.2°E|Astra 19.2° East]] satellite position since 2014 and SES now delivers 12 demo channels via its main orbital positions across the globe.<ref>[https://www.ses.com/insights/delving-detail-ultra-hd ''DELVING INTO THE DETAIL OF ULTRA HD''] SES. Accessed 28 July 2022</ref> As of 2020, SES was broadcasting over 50 Ultra HD channels worldwide.<ref>[https://www.ses.com/ses-satellite-monitor-europe ''SES Satellite Monitor in Europe''] SES. 10 April 2019. Accessed 28 July 2022</ref> |
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In 1990, ASTRA was already broadcasting to 14 million cable and [[direct-to-home]] (DTH) viewers. SES ASTRA was the pioneer of ‘co-location’ by which several satellites share the same orbital position. This had never been done before, so that SES had to develop its own software and technology to control and manage multiple satellites within close proximity to each other. Co-location generated the capacity that attracted dozens of channels to a single orbital location, creating what became known as the 'satellite neighbourhood' concept that would drive SES growth for the next two decades and be copied by rivals like [[Eutelsat]]. A greater selection of channels at one orbital position attracts viewers to point their dishes at that slot, which in turn attracts more broadcasters and hence more viewers. ASTRA's prime slots, such as 19.2 East, have seen as many as eight satellites sharing the same position at one time. Co-location also helped build up ASTRA’s reputation for outstanding reliability based on the strength in depth of its fleet. Today, SES boasts network availability levels of 99.999%. |
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[[SES-8]] was the first geostationary satellite to be launched (in 2013) by [[SpaceX]].<ref>''Beyond Frontiers'' Broadgate Publications (September 2016) page=12</ref><ref name="createspace">[https://www.ses.com/white-paper/satellites-are-rise ''Creating Space - The Satellite Revolution''] SES white paper. March 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2018</ref> The [[SES-10]] satellite was launched in March 2017 (delayed from October 2016 due to a [[SpaceX|pad explosion and subsequent loss of a Falcon 9 booster]] in September 2016<ref>[http://spacenews.com/falcon-9-explosion-could-have-ripple-effects-across-space-industry/ ''Falcon 9 explosion could have ripple effects across space industry''] Space News. 1 September 2016. Accessed 24 April 2017</ref>) on the first SpaceX launch with a 'flight-proven' (reused) Falcon first stage, recovered from a previous launch.<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/03/we-may-have-just-witnessed-the-dawn-of-truly-commercial-spaceflight ''We may have just witnessed the dawn of truly commercial spaceflight''] Ars Technica. 31 March 2017. Accessed 31 March 2017</ref> The SES-12, SES-14 and SES-15 satellites (launched in June 2018, January 2018 and May 2017, respectively) are constructed with an [[Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion|electric plasma propulsion]] system for orbit raising and in-orbit manoeuvres<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES |date=22 January 2015|url=http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2015/20545339|title=SES ENTRUSTS ARIANESPACE WITH SES-12 SATELLITE LAUNCH SCHEDULED FOR Q4 2017|access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> to save weight and enable a larger communications payload to be included. SES reckons that SES-12 would weigh some 4700 kg more with a conventional chemical propulsion system.<ref name="createspace"/> |
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=== Rapid growth and the move into digital=== |
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Rapid growth in [[Germany]], in what would become ASTRA’s largest European market, was helped by the German government’s decision to liberalize the installation of dishes in 1991, of which there were already 3.5 million in Europe alone. In this time SES became the leading satellite system providing direct-to-home transmission, and became the world’s largest satellite platform for TV distribution. |
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Expansion of SES’satellite fleet in the 1990s with (5 launches between 1995 – 1999) went hand-in-hand with the growth in the number of channels offered via ASTRA, as well as growing sales of ASTRA-enabled dishes. In 1996, after the launch of '''ASTRA 1E''' the year before, SES pioneered digital satellite transmission with the French [[Canal+]] . In 1998, SES launched '''ASTRA 2A''' for the UK market, transmitting at the new orbital position 28.2° EAST, and eventually moving all of its [[U.K.]] and [[Ireland]] transmission capacity to this orbital slot. In the same year, and reflecting its rapid growth over the past ten years, SES went public on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and in 2005, the Paris EURONEXT Stock Exchanges, trading as SESG. |
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SES operates the world’s first multi-orbit communications satellite network, combining [[geostationary orbit]] satellites’ wide coverage and reliability, and a [[medium Earth orbit]] [[satellite constellation]]'s low latency and high data throughput. In conjunction with Kythera Space Solutions, SES developed Adaptive Resource Control (ARC) software to dynamically control and optimise power, throughput, and beam and frequency allocation across the multi-orbit network of the [[O3b]] and [[O3b mPOWER]] medium Earth orbit satellite system, and [[SES-17]] and future geostationary [[high-throughput satellite]]s.<ref>[https://www.orange-business.com/en/partners/ses ''SES: building the multi-orbit network of the future''] Orange. Accessed 15 September 2022</ref> |
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=== Global expansion through acquisition and diversification=== |
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<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=SES|date=5 September 2019 |url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-enhance-and-expand-o3b-mpower-system-capabilities-dynamic-software-innovation|title=SES to Enhance and Expand O3b mPOWER System Capabilities with Dynamic Software Innovation|access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref> |
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The acquisition of a 34.1% stake in AsiaSat in 1998 began a period of ambitious global expansion beyond SES’ European home market that would lead to the formation of SES GLOBAL in 2001, renamed SES in 2006.This geographic expansion went hand in hand with the diversification of SES’ product offering into a range of satellite services, including technical consultancy, satellite reception and distribution services, government and military communications and more recently a range of mobile and multimedia and internet services, such as IP-PRIME in the U.S. and ASTRA2Connect in Europe. |
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<ref>[https://news.satnews.com/2020/11/24/ses-satellites-agility-achieved-by-working-with-kythera-space-solutions/ ''SES’ Satellites’ Agility Achieved With ARC and Kythera Space Solutions''] Satnews, 24 November 2020, Accessed 15 September 2022</ref> |
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SES is the first commercial customer for [[Space Infrastructure Servicing]] (SIS) future satellite life extension mission, following an agreement in June 2017 with [[MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates]] (MDA). The SIS craft was being built by [[SSL (company)|Space Systems/Loral]] (SSL), a manufacturing subsidiary of MDA, for the United States [[DARPA|Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency]] (DARPA)'s Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) programme, and will refuel an SES satellite running low on propellant while still in orbit to lengthen its service life.<ref name=MDA-2017>{{cite press release|publisher=MDA |date=28 June 2017 |url=http://mdacorporation.com/news/pr/pr2017062803.html |title=MDA announces On-Orbit Satellite Servicing business formation and contract awards for spacecraft and first life extension customer |access-date=1 July 2017}}</ref> {{update after|2019}} SSL (as Maxar) abandoned the DARPA contract in 2019.<ref name=Maxar-exit-SSP>{{cite magazine|title=Maxar's exit from DARPA satellite servicing program a cautionary tale| date=January 30, 2019| url=https://spacenews.com/maxars-exit-from-darpa-satellite-servicing-program-a-cautionary-tale/| first= Sandra| last= Erwin| magazine= [[SpaceNews]]}}</ref> |
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In 2000, SES acquired a 50% stake in the Scandinavian satellite broadcaster Nordic Satellite AB (NSAB), later renamed SES SIRIUS, which strengthened SES’ coverage in northern and eastern Europe. In 2001, SES completed the acquisition of [[GE Capital|GE AMERICOM]] resulting in the formation of SES GLOBAL comprising two operating companies, SES ASTRA and SES AMERICOM. Altogether, SES now operated a fleet of 41 satellites, the largest in the world at the time. |
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== Corporate structure == |
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Further acquisitions followed in 2006 and included New Skies, later renamed SES NEW SKIES, which added six satellites to the SES fleet and strengthened its coverage in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. SES also took a 100% stake in ND SatCom a German provider of government services. In December 2006, SES GLOBAL was renamed SES. |
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{| class="wikitable" |
|||
|+Group structure of SES (Numbers in brackets indicate percentage of participation)<ref>[https://www.ses.com/about-us/our-affiliates ''Our affiliates''] SES website. Accessed 31 December 2022</ref> |
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! width="200" | |
|||
! width="700" |SES |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''Satellite operators''' |
|||
===Recent developments=== |
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| |
|||
In March 2007, SES bought back all of [[General Electric|GE]]’s shares and participations in AMERICOM as part of a complex divestiture transaction agreement. As part of the deal, SES divested certain assets, including AsiaSat as well Star One, SATLYNX and a spacecraft over the Pacific Ocean. GE is obligated to hold the spacecraft asset until 2012. |
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{| |
|||
! align="center" width="233"|[[QuetzSat 1|Quetzsat]]<br>(100%) |
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! align="center" width="233"|[[Al Yah Satellite Communications|YahLive]]<br>(35%) |
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! align="center" width="233"|GovSat<br>(50%) |
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|} |
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|- |
|||
| '''Service companies''' |
|||
| |
|||
{| |
|||
! align="center" width="180"|SES Space & Defense<br>(100%) |
|||
! align="center" width="60"|[[HD+]]<br>(100%) |
|||
! align="center" width="140"|SES HD+ Ghana<br>(100%) |
|||
! align="center" width="180"|Redu Space Services<br>(52%) |
|||
! align="center" width="140"|SES Techcom<br>(100%) |
|||
|} |
|||
|- |
|||
|} |
|||
== Corporate management == |
|||
SES ASTRA grew its stake in SES SIRIUS to 90% in 2008 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2008/01/31/ses-increases-sirius-stake/|title=SES increases Sirius stake |language=English|publisher=Broadbandtvnews.com|date=2009-01-31|accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref>. In June 2008, SES ASTRA and competitor [[Eutelsat]] set up the joint venture [[Solaris Mobile]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2008/06/18/astra-eutelsat-s-band-venture-emerges-as-solaris/|title=Astra-Eutelsat S-band venture emerges as Solaris |language=English|publisher=Broadbandtvnews.com|date=2008-06-18|accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref>. Solaris Mobile will deliver media services to mobile and handheld devices via a satellite to be launched in 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infosat.de/Meldungen/?msgID=51498/|title=Joint-Venture von Eutelsat und SES Astra "Solaris Mobile" ist startklar – Start der S-Band Nutzlast im März 2009 geplant |language=German|publisher=Infosat.de|date=2009-02-09|accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref>. In July 2008, SES announced the merger of its two international operating units, SES AMERICOM and SES NEW SKIES into a ‘new segment’ under Rob Bednarek as President and CEO. As the organizations consolidated, the IP-PRIME service, an <ref>MPEG-4</ref> IPTV service, was shut down completely. The new segment was re-branded as SES WORLD SKIES on 7 September 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/200909074652/ses-re-brands-international-divisions.html|title=SES re-brands international divisions |language=English|publisher=Rapidtvnews.com|date=2009-09-07|accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref>. |
|||
SES is managed by the executive team, which comprises:<ref>[https://www.ses.com/about-us/management/executive-team ''Executive Team''] SES Website. Accessed 30 September 2024</ref> |
|||
* Adel Al-Saleh - chief executive officer |
|||
==SES’ standing in the industry== |
|||
* Ruy Pinto - Strategic Advisor to the CEO |
|||
SES has long been considered to be one of the global market leaders of satellite communications services and a pioneer in many important industry developments and boasting outstanding performance and reliability levels. SES pioneerd Direct-to-Home transmission (DTH), free-to-air broadcast neighbourhoods, digital broadcasting, HDTV and IPTV. In 2007 SES was named ‘Satellite Operator of the Year’<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paperjam.lu/archives/2007/09/18993/index.html|title=SES in the 07th heaven|language=English|publisher=Paperjam.lu|date=2007-09-07|accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref> and its CEO, Romain Bausch is the recipient of numerous awards and honours including ‘Satellite Executive of the Year’<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paperjam.lu/presse/2002/02/2810/index.html|title=Romain Bausch consacré "Satellite Executive of the Year"|language=French|publisher=Paperjam.lu|date=2002-02-05|accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref> in 2002. |
|||
* Nadine Allen - Global Head of Enterprise & Cloud* |
|||
* Dr Xavier Bertrán - Chief Product & Innovation Officer |
|||
* David Fields - Global Head of Space and Defense |
|||
* John-Paul Hemingway - Chief Commercial Officer |
|||
* Norbert Hölzle - Global Head of Media |
|||
* Veronika Ivanovic - Chief People Officer |
|||
* Sandeep Jalan - Chief Financial Officer |
|||
* Fabien Loeffler - Chief Transformation Officer |
|||
* Simon Maher - Global Head of Maritime |
|||
* Greg Orton - Chief M&A and Development Officer |
|||
* Thai Rubin - Chief Legal Officer |
|||
* Andrew Ruszkowski - Global Head of Aviation |
|||
* Nihar Shah - Chief Strategy Officer |
|||
* Milton Torres - Chief Technology Officer |
|||
In 2002, then CEO, Romain Bausch was awarded 'Satellite Executive of the Year'.<ref>[https://paperjam.lu/article/communique-romain-bausch-consacre-satellite-executive-year ''Romain Bausch crowned "Satellite Executive of the Year" ''(French)]. Paperjam.lu 5 February 2002. Accessed 27 January 2023</ref> In 2019, then CEO, Steve Collar was awarded 'Satellite Executive of the Year'.<ref>[http://interactive.satellitetoday.com/via/may-2020/seoty-winner-steve-collar-comes-full-circle-as-ses-ceo/ ''SEOTY Winner Steve Collar Comes Full Circle as SES CEO''] Via Satellite. May 2020. Accessed 27 October 2020</ref> |
|||
==SES services== |
|||
Through its operating companies and participations, SES provides satellite transmission capacity and related services to media broadcasters, businesses as well for civil government and military communications. SES satellites transmit a variety of formats from radio to [[High Definition TV]], (HDTV) in [[MPEG-2]] and [[MPEG-4]]. SES has been a major player in the development of the direct-to-home market in Europe and the [[IPTV]] market in the [[U.S.]]. In Europe, SES ASTRA pioneered the introduction of HDTV and has been instrumental in defining HDTV standards with the '''HD ready''' label. In the U.S., SES AMERICOM provides cable-feed services as well as [[IP-PRIME]], an MPEG-4 based IPTV platform that allows users to access TV services, including HDTV channels, via the internet. |
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== Satellite fleet == |
|||
In Europe, SES ASTRA supplies [[ASTRA2Connect]] a satellite-based, broadband internet access for residential users. The product is used to offer TV reception, internet access and telephony to end users in remote locations where terrestrial broadband services are not available. |
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{{main|List of SES satellites|Astra (satellite)}} |
|||
The following active satellites are owned and operated by SES, {{as of|October 2022|lc=on}}.<ref>[https://www.n2yo.com/satellites/?c=34&srt=1&dir=1 ''Real Time Satellite Tracking And Predictions''] Accessed 26 September 2023</ref><ref>[https://space.skyrocket.de/index.html ''Gunter's Space Page''] Accessed 30 July 2021</ref><ref>[https://www.ses.com/our-coverage ''DISCOVER OUR GLOBAL COVERAGE''] SES. Accessed 28 October 2021</ref> |
|||
===Government services=== |
|||
SES supplies satellite capacity to governments for the delivery of video, internet, voice and data to government agencies. In the U.S., AMERICOM Government Services (AGS) delivers to both civilian and defence agencies of the U.S. [[government]]. Outside the U.S., SES NEW SKIES also provides worldwide satellite transmission services for the U.S. government and U.S. military including non-combat communications, such as TV and internet for serving soldiers as well as emergency relief communications. |
|||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
|||
In Europe, SES ASTRA’s government services unit, [[NDSatCom]] provides global satellite-based communications services to broadcasters, government agencies, public administration and their contractors. |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan=22 | SES fleet |
|||
|- |
|||
! Satellite |
|||
| [[SES-1]] |
|||
| [[SES-2]] |
|||
| [[SES-3]] |
|||
| [[SES-4]] |
|||
| [[SES-5]]<br/>(was Astra 4B, Sirius 5) |
|||
| [[SES-6]] |
|||
| [[SES-7]]<br/>(was [[ProtoStar|ProtoStar 2]]) |
|||
| [[SES-8]] (IPMSAT 2) |
|||
| [[SES-9]] |
|||
| [[SES-10]] |
|||
| [[SES-11]]<br/>(Echostar 105) |
|||
| [[SES-12]] |
|||
| [[SES-14]] |
|||
| [[SES-15]] |
|||
| [[GovSa-1]]<br/>(SES-16) |
|||
| [[SES-17]] |
|||
| SES-18 |
|||
| SES-19 |
|||
| SES-20 |
|||
| SES-21 |
|||
| SES-22 |
|||
|- |
|||
! Launch Date |
|||
| 24 April 2010 |
|||
| 21 September 2011 |
|||
| 15 July 2011 |
|||
| 14 February 2012 |
|||
| 9 July 2012 |
|||
| 3 June 2013 |
|||
| 16 May 2009 |
|||
| 3 December 2013 |
|||
| 4 March 2016 |
|||
| 30 March 2017 |
|||
| 11 October 2017 |
|||
| 4 June 2018 |
|||
| 25 January 2018 |
|||
| 18 May 2017 |
|||
| 31 January 2018 |
|||
| 24 October 2021 |
|||
| 17 March 2023 |
|||
| 17 March 2023 |
|||
| 4 October 2022 |
|||
| 4 October 2022 |
|||
| 29 June 2022 |
|||
|- |
|||
! Launch Vehicle |
|||
| Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
| Ariane 5ECA<br/>(VA204) |
|||
| Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
| Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
| Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
| Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
| Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
| Falcon-9 v1.1 |
|||
| Falcon-9 v1.2 |
|||
| Falcon-9 v1.2 |
|||
| Falcon-9 v1.2 |
|||
| Falcon-9 v1.2 |
|||
| Ariane 5ECA<br/>(VA241) |
|||
| Soyuz ST-A<br/>(VS17) |
|||
| Falcon-9 v1.2 |
|||
| Ariane 5ECA<br/>([[Ariane flight VA255|VA255]]) |
|||
| Falcon-9 |
|||
| Falcon-9 |
|||
| Atlas V 531 |
|||
| Atlas V 531 |
|||
| [[Falcon 9 Block 5]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! Orbital Position |
|||
| 101.0° West |
|||
| 87.0° West |
|||
| 103.0° West |
|||
| 22.0° West |
|||
| 5.0° East |
|||
| 40.5° West |
|||
| 108.2° East |
|||
| 95.0° East |
|||
| 108.2° East |
|||
| 67.0° West |
|||
| 105.0° West |
|||
| 95.0° East |
|||
| 47.5° West |
|||
| 129.0° West |
|||
| 21.5° East |
|||
| 67.1° West |
|||
| 103° West |
|||
| 135° West |
|||
| 103° West |
|||
| 131° West |
|||
| 135° West |
|||
|} |
|||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
|||
==Future launches== |
|||
! colspan="11" |[[SES Americom|AMC]] fleet |
|||
SES has the industry's most ambitious launch programme, with eight new satellites planned between 2009–2011 (see below for details). The most recent, [[NSS-9]], was successfully launched on February 12, 2009 by [[Ariane 5]]ECA launch vehicle from Kourou, French Guiana. |
|||
|- |
|||
! Satellite |
|||
| [[AMC-4]] |
|||
| [[AMC-6]] |
|||
| [[AMC-8]] |
|||
| [[AMC-11]] |
|||
| [[AMC-15 (satellite)|AMC-15]] |
|||
| [[SES Americom|AMC-16]] |
|||
| [[AMC-18]] |
|||
| [[AMC-21]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! Launch Date |
|||
| 13 November 1999 |
|||
| 22 October 2000 |
|||
| 20 December 2000 |
|||
| 19 May 2004 |
|||
| 14 October 2004 |
|||
| 17 December 2004 |
|||
| 8 December 2006 |
|||
| 14 August 2008 |
|||
|- |
|||
! Launch Vehicle |
|||
| Ariane 44LP<br/>(V123) |
|||
| [[Proton-K]]<br/>[[Blok DM|DM3]] |
|||
| Ariane 5G<br/>(V138) |
|||
| Atlas-2AS |
|||
| Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
| Atlas-5 |
|||
| Ariane 5 ECA<br/>(V174) |
|||
| Ariane 5 ECA<br/>(V185) |
|||
|- |
|||
! Orbital Position |
|||
| 135.0° West |
|||
| 139.0° West |
|||
| 135.0° West |
|||
| 131.0° West |
|||
| 105.0° West |
|||
| 85.0° West |
|||
| 83.0° West |
|||
| 125.0° West |
|||
|} |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
||
|+ Upcoming satellite launches in chronological order: |
|||
| align="center" width="15%"|'''Operating Company''' |
|||
| align="center" width="10%"|'''Satellite''' |
|||
| align="center" width="15%"|'''Expected launch date''' |
|||
| align="center" width="60%"|'''Function/Remark''' |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! colspan=11 | [[Astra (satellite)|Astra]] fleet |
|||
| align="center"|<span style="color:#ff7f00">'''SES NEW SKIES''' |
|||
| align="center"|NSS-9 |
|||
| align="center"| Launched successful: 12.02.09 |
|||
| Planned to be positioned at the orbital location of 183° East, allowing NSS-5 to be re-deployed to a new orbital slot. |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! Satellite |
|||
| align="center"|<span style="color:#FCD116">'''SES WORLD SKIES''' |
|||
| [[Astra 1KR]] |
|||
| align="center"|NSS-12 |
|||
| [[Astra 1L]] |
|||
| align="center"|Successfully launched 29.10.09<ref>http://www.ses.com/ses/siteSections/newsroom/Latest_News/index.php?pressRelease=/pressReleases/pressReleaseList/09-10-29-1/index.php NSS-12 Press realase</ref> |
|||
| [[Astra 1M]] |
|||
| Will operate at the orbital position of 57° East and will serve as a replacement for the NSS-8 spacecraft which was destroyed on its launch pad in January 2007. |
|||
| [[Astra 1N]] |
|||
| [[Astra 2E]] |
|||
| [[Astra 2F]] |
|||
| [[Astra 2G]] |
|||
| [[Astra 3B]] |
|||
| [[Astra 4A]]<br/>(was [[Sirius (satellite)|Sirius 4]]) |
|||
| [[Astra 1P]] |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! Launch Date |
|||
| align="center"|<span style="color:#095AA6">'''SES ASTRA''' |
|||
| 24 April 2006 |
|||
| align="center"|ASTRA 3B |
|||
| 4 May 2007 |
|||
| align="center"|4. Quarter, 2009 |
|||
| 5 November 2008 |
|||
| Planned to deliver additional capacity at the orbital position 23.5° East. |
|||
| 6 August 2011 |
|||
| 29 September 2013 |
|||
| 28 September 2012 |
|||
| 27 December 2014 |
|||
| 21 May 2010 |
|||
| 17 November 2007 |
|||
|20 June 2024 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! Launch Vehicle |
|||
| align="center"|<span style="color:#FCD116">'''SES WORLD SKIES''' |
|||
| Atlas-5 |
|||
| align="center"|AMC-1R |
|||
| Ariane 5 ECA<br/>(V176) |
|||
| align="center"|2. Quarter, 2010 |
|||
| Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
| Will provide replacement capacity for AMC-1 at 103° West and in addition will serve a number of alternate purposes. |
|||
| Ariane 5 ECA<br/>(VA203) |
|||
| Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
| Ariane 5 ECA<br/>(VA209) |
|||
| Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
| Ariane 5 ECA<br/>(V194) |
|||
| Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
| Falcon 9 Block 5 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! Orbital Position |
|||
| align="center"|<span style="color:#FCD116">'''SES WORLD SKIES''' |
|||
| [[Astra 19.2°E|19.2° East]] |
|||
| align="center"|AMC-5R |
|||
| [[Astra 19.2°E|19.2° East]] |
|||
| align="center"|3. Quarter, 2010 |
|||
| [[Astra 19.2°E|19.2° East]] |
|||
| This hybrid C/Ku-band spacecraft will replace the two currently providing service at the 79° West orbital location, AMC-5 and Satcom C3. |
|||
| [[Astra 19.2°E|19.2° East]] |
|||
| [[Astra 28.2°E|28.2° East]] |
|||
| [[Astra 28.2°E|28.2° East]] |
|||
| [[Astra 28.2°E|28.2° East]] |
|||
| [[Astra 23.5°E|23.5° East]] |
|||
| [[Astra 5°E|5.0° East]] |
|||
|en route to<br>[[Astra 19.2°E|19.2° East]] |
|||
|} |
|||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! colspan=8 | [[New Skies Satellites|NSS]] fleet |
|||
| align="center"|<span style="color:#FCD116">'''SES WORLD SKIES''' |
|||
| align="center"|NSS-14 |
|||
| align="center"|4. Quarter, 2010 |
|||
| Will operate at 338° East, To be replaced by NSS-7. |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! Satellite |
|||
| align="center"|<span style="color:#095AA6">'''SES ASTRA''' |
|||
| [[NSS-6]] |
|||
| align="center"|ASTRA 1N |
|||
| [[NSS-7]] |
|||
| align="center"|2. Quarter, 2011 |
|||
| [[NSS-9]] |
|||
| Will initially replace ASTRA 1G at the orbital position 19.2° East. |
|||
| [[List of SES satellites|NSS-10]]<br/>(was AMC-12) |
|||
| [[NSS-11]] |
|||
| [[List of SES satellites|NSS-12]] |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! Launch Date |
|||
| align="center"|<span style="color:#43bff2">'''SES SIRIUS''' |
|||
| 17 December 2002 |
|||
| align="center"|SIRIUS 5 |
|||
| 16 April 2002 |
|||
| align="center"|3. Quarter, 2011 |
|||
| 12 February 2009 |
|||
| Will have 36 Ku-band transponders serving Northern Europe and the Baltic region as well as the African markets. It will also have 24 C-band transponders (36 megahertz each) for global and hemispheric coverage. |
|||
| 3 February 2005 |
|||
| 1 October 2000 |
|||
| 29 October 2009 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! Launch Vehicle |
|||
| align="center"|<span style="color:#FCD116">'''SES WORLD SKIES''' |
|||
| Ariane 44L<br/>(V156) |
|||
| align="center"|NSS-16 |
|||
| Ariane 44L<br/>(V150) |
|||
| align="center"|1. Quarter, 2012 |
|||
| Ariane 5 ECA<br/>(V187) |
|||
| Will operate at 319.5° East, To be replaced by NSS-806. |
|||
| [[Proton-M]]<br/>[[Briz (rocket stage)|Briz-M]] |
|||
| [[Proton-K]]<br/>[[Blok DM|DM3]] |
|||
| Ariane 5 ECA<br/>(V192) |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! Orbital Position |
|||
| align="center"|<span style="color:#095AA6">'''SES ASTRA''' |
|||
| 169.5° West |
|||
| align="center"|ASTRA 2E<br />ASTRA 2F<br />ASTRA 2G<br />ASTRA 5B |
|||
| 20.0° West |
|||
| align="center"|Six-monthly from 2012 |
|||
| 177.0° West |
|||
| [[EADS Astrium]] Eurostar E3000 spacebus, as rolling replacement for the 28.2E orbital position capacity, and to expand the 31.5E orbital position<ref>http://www.ses-astra.com/business/en/news-events/news-latest/index.php?pressRelease=/pressReleases/pressReleaseList/09-11-30/index.php</ref> |
|||
| 37.5° West |
|||
| 176° East |
|||
| 57.0° East |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan=10 | [[O3b]] fleet |
|||
|- |
|||
! Satellite |
|||
| [[O3b#Satellites|O3b PFM, FM2, FM4–5]] |
|||
| [[O3b#Satellites|O3b FM3, FM6–FM8]] |
|||
| [[O3b#Satellites|O3b FM9–12]] |
|||
| [[O3b#Satellites|O3b FM13–16]] |
|||
| [[O3b#Satellites|O3b FM17–20]] |
|||
| [[O3b mPOWER#Satellites|O3b mPOWER<br>1-2<br>(O3b FM21-22)]] |
|||
| [[O3b mPOWER#Satellites|O3b mPOWER<br>3-4<br>(O3b FM23-24)]] |
|||
| [[O3b mPOWER#Satellites|O3b mPOWER<br>5-6<br>(O3b FM25-26)]] |
|||
| [[O3b mPOWER#Satellites|O3b mPOWER<br>7-8<br>(O3b FM27-28)]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! Launch Date |
|||
| 25 June 2013 |
|||
| 10 July 2014 |
|||
| 18 December 2014 |
|||
| 9 March 2018 |
|||
| 4 April 2019 |
|||
| 16 December 2022 |
|||
| 28 April 2023 |
|||
| 12 November 2023 |
|||
| 17 December 2024 |
|||
|- |
|||
!Launch Vehicle |
|||
|Soyuz ST-B<br/>(VS05) |
|||
|Soyuz ST-B<br/>(VS08) |
|||
|Soyuz ST-B<br/>(VS10) |
|||
|Soyuz ST-B<br/>(VS18) |
|||
|Soyuz ST-B<br/>(VS22) |
|||
|Falcon 9 |
|||
|Falcon 9 |
|||
|Falcon 9 |
|||
|Falcon 9 |
|||
|- |
|||
! Orbital Position |
|||
| colspan=9 | non-synchronous [[medium Earth orbit]] |
|||
|} |
|||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan=5 | Third-party satellites operated by SES |
|||
|- |
|||
! Satellite |
|||
| [[Ciel-2]] |
|||
| [[MonacoSAT]] |
|||
| [[QuetzSat 1]] |
|||
| [[Yahsat 1A]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! Launch Date |
|||
| 10 December 2008 |
|||
| 27 April 2015 |
|||
| 29 September 2011 |
|||
| 22 April 2011 |
|||
|- |
|||
!Launch Vehicle |
|||
|Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
|Falcon 9 v1.1 |
|||
|Proton-M<br/>Briz-M |
|||
|Ariane 5 ECA<br/>(VA201) |
|||
|- |
|||
! Orbital Position |
|||
| 129.0° West |
|||
| 52.0° East |
|||
| 77.0° West |
|||
| 52.5° East |
|||
|} |
|||
== Future satellite launches == |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
|||
|- |
|||
! Satellite name |
|||
! Launch date |
|||
! Orbital position |
|||
! Frequency bands |
|||
! Coverage area |
|||
! Manufacturer |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[O3b mPOWER|O3b mPOWER 9, 10, 11]] |
|||
| 2025<ref name="Q3 2024">[https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-ytd-and-q3-2024-results ''SES YTD and Q3 2024 Results''] SES. 7 November 2024. Accessed 26 November 2024</ref> |
|||
| [[Medium Earth orbit|MEO]] |
|||
| [[Ka band|Ka-band]] |
|||
| Global reach with steerable spot beams |
|||
| [[Boeing Satellite Development Center|Boeing]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[O3b mPOWER|O3b mPOWER 12, 13]] |
|||
| Q4 2026<ref name="Q3 2024"/> |
|||
| [[Medium Earth orbit|MEO]] |
|||
| [[Ka band|Ka-band]] |
|||
| Global reach with steerable spot beams |
|||
| [[Boeing Satellite Development Center|Boeing]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| SES-23<ref name=SN-SES>{{cite web |last=Henry |first=Caleb |url=https://spacenews.com/ses-taps-thales-alenia-space-for-final-two-c-band-replacement-satellites/ |title=SES taps Thales Alenia Space for final two C-band replacement satellites |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref> |
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| n/a |
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| ground spare |
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| [[C band (IEEE)|C-Band]] |
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| North America |
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| [[Thales Alenia Space]] |
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|- |
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| Astra 1Q |
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| 2027<ref name="sched">[https://www.ses.com/our-coverage/launches ''Launches''] SES. Accessed 26 November 2024</ref> |
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| [[Astra 19.2°E|19.2°E]] |
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| [[Ku band|Ku-band]] |
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| Europe |
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| [[Thales Alenia Space]] |
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|- |
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| SES-26<ref name="SES26order"/> |
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| 2027<ref name="sched"/> |
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| 57°E |
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| [[Ku band|Ku-band]], [[C band (IEEE)|C-Band]] |
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| Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific |
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| [[Thales Alenia Space]] |
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|- |
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| Eagle-1 |
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| 2026<ref name="sched"/> |
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| [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |
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| optical |
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| Europe |
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| - |
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|} |
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== Hosted payloads == |
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SES is active in the [[hosted payload]] market, selling space on planned and under-construction satellites to governments and institutions. [[SES-2]] (launched September 2011) carries the US Air Force's Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP), a wide field-of-view, passive infrared sensor to provide early warning of missile launches, the first time a [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] payload has been hosted on a commercial mission.<ref>[http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2011/09/u-s--air-force-saic.html ''U.S. Air Force, SAIC, SES, and Orbital launch Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload Sensor infrared staring system aboard SES-2 satellite''] Military & Aerospace Electronics 24 September 2011. Accessed 28 April 2018</ref> |
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The [[SES-5]] and [[Astra 5B]] satellites (launched July 2012 and March 2014, respectively) incorporate [[European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service]] (EGNOS) payloads, a supplementary network to the [[Global Positioning System]] (GPS) and [[GLONASS]] navigation systems.<ref>[https://www.ses.com/our-coverage/satellites/347 ''ASTRA 5B's mission''] SES website. Accessed 28 April 2018</ref><ref>[https://www.gsa.europa.eu/news/ses-5-geo-satellite-ensures-egnos-services-long-term ''SES-5 GEO Satellite Ensures EGNOS Services for the Long Term''] European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency 4 September 2015. Accessed 28 April 2018</ref> |
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[[SES-15]] (launched May 2017) includes the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) [[Wide Area Augmentation System]] (WAAS) air navigation aid to augment the Global Positioning System (GPS), with the goal of improving its accuracy, integrity and availability.<ref>[https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/techops/navservices/gnss/library/satnav/media/SatNavNews_Spring_2017.pdf ''New WAAS GEO Satellite Launch''] Federal Aviation Administration ''SatNavNews'' newsletter Spring 2017. Accessed 28 April 2018 {{PD-notice}}</ref> |
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[[SES-14]] (launched January 2018) hosts the [[Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk]] (GOLD) mission for [[NASA]] to investigate the Sun's impact on the Earth's thermosphere and ionosphere.<ref>[https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/gold ''GOLD''] NASA mission website. Accessed 28 April 2018 {{PD-notice}}</ref> |
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== Teleports == |
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SES, and its subsidiary companies has [[Ground station|teleports]] across the world, including: |
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{{columns-list|colwidth=22em| |
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* [[Alexandria, Virginia]], United States |
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* [[Betzdorf, Luxembourg]] |
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* [[Bristow, Virginia]], United States |
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* [[Budapest]], Hungary |
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* [[Valley of Elah|Emek HaEla]], Israel |
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* [[Hawley, Pennsylvania]], United States |
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* [[Herzliya]], Israel |
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* [[Manassas, Virginia]], United States |
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* [[Munich]], Germany |
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* Re'em, Israel |
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* South Mountain, California, United States |
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* [[Sunset Beach (Oahu)]], Hawaii, United States |
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* [[Tel Aviv]], Israel |
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* [[Unterföhring]], Germany, |
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* [[Woodbine, Maryland]], United States |
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* [[Douglas, Isle of Man]], United Kingdom<ref>[https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2018/09/25/ses-opens-isle-of-man-teleport/ ''SES opens Isle of Man teleport''] Broadband TV News. 25 September 2018. Accessed 28 January 2019</ref> |
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}} |
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SES Space & Defense (previously SES Government Solutions) operates [[Ground station|Earth stations]] at the following United States Government locations: |
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{{columns-list|colwidth=22em| |
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* [[Fairbanks, Alaska]] |
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* [[Hawaii]] |
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* [[Monterey, California]] |
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* [[New Boston Space Force Station|New Boston]] |
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* [[Offutt Air Force Base|Offutt]] |
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* [[Schriever Space Force Base|Schriever]] |
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* [[Thule Air Base]], [[Greenland]] |
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}} |
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== See also == |
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{{Portal|Spaceflight|Companies}} |
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* [[Astra (satellite)|Astra satellite family]] |
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* [[HD+]] |
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*[[O3b]] |
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*[[O3b mPOWER]] |
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* Companies now merged into SES |
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** [[MX1 Ltd|MX1]] |
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** [[O3b Networks]] |
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** [[SES Americom]] |
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** [[SES Platform Services]] |
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** [[SES Sirius]] |
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** [[SES World Skies]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category|SES}} |
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*{{Official|http://www.ses.com}} |
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*{{Official website|http://www.ses.com/}} |
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*[http://www.lyngsat.com/launches/index.html Launch schedule on LyngSat] |
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*[https://www.ses.com/our-coverage SES fleet information and map] |
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AuGeQlfR9M SpaceX Falcon 9 SES-9 Mission Briefing], Martin Halliwell, chief technology officer, 23 February 2016. Includes strategic and technical outlook.<!-- substantial information on future sat builds, planned launches, total $$ investment, etc. NOTABLY: SES is planning to do on-orbit satellite servicing with future [[commsats]] by designing them (now) to have replaceable components that would be carried to orbit some 5-7 years after original GEO placement on another commsat "donkey", which when bolted on to the original/older sat, will substantially upgrade capability, during an expected 20-24 year on-orbit life of the original commsat bus. N2e, 24 Feb 2016 --> |
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{{SES World Skies}} |
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{{Companies portal}} |
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{{Satcomm}} |
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{{LuxX companies}} |
{{LuxX companies}} |
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{{CAC |
{{CAC Mid 60}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ses S.A.}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ses S.A.}} |
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[[Category:SES (company)| ]] |
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[[Category:Telecommunications companies of Luxembourg]] |
[[Category:Telecommunications companies of Luxembourg]] |
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[[Category:Direct broadcast satellite services]] |
[[Category:Direct broadcast satellite services]] |
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[[Category:Betzdorf, Luxembourg]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Telecommunications companies established in 2001]] |
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[[Category:Companies established in 2001]] |
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[[Category:Communications satellite operators]] |
[[Category:Communications satellite operators]] |
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[[Category:2001 in Luxembourg]] |
[[Category:2001 establishments in Luxembourg]] |
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[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Luxembourg]] |
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[[Category:Companies listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange]] |
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[[de:SES S.A.]] |
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[[Category:Companies listed on Euronext Paris]] |
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[[fr:SES GLOBAL]] |
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[[Category:Companies in the LuxX Index]] |
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[[lb:SES Global]] |
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[[Category:Companies in the S&P Europe 350 Dividend Aristocrats]] |
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[[fi:SES]] |
Latest revision as of 11:34, 26 December 2024
Formerly |
|
---|---|
Company type | Société Anonyme |
ISIN | ISIN: LU0088087324 |
Industry | Telecommunications |
Founded | 1985 |
Founder |
|
Headquarters | Château de Betzdorf, Betzdorf, Luxembourg |
Key people | Frank Esser (Chairman)[2] Adel Al-Saleh (CEO)[3] |
Products | Communications satellites and services |
Revenue | €2,030 million (2023)[4] |
(€686 million) (2023)[4] | |
(€904 million) (2023)[4] | |
Total assets | €10,184 million (2023)[4] |
Total equity | €3,758 million (2023)[4] |
Number of employees | 2,294 (FTE, end 2023)[4] |
Divisions |
|
Subsidiaries |
|
Website | www |
SES S.A., trading as SES is a Luxembourgish satellite telecommunications network provider supplying video and data connectivity worldwide to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators, governments and institutions.[6][7]
SES is one of the world's leading satellite owners and operators with over 70 satellites in two different orbits: geostationary orbit (GEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO).[8] These include the well-known European Astra TV satellites, the O3b and O3b mPOWER data satellites and others with names including AMC, Ciel, NSS, Quetzsat, YahSat and SES.
In April 2024, SES announced the acquisition of satellite services provider, Intelsat to create a more competitive multi-orbit satellite operator. The transaction is expected to complete regulatory approvals in 2025.[9][10]
Based in Betzdorf, Luxembourg and founded in 1985 as Société Européenne des Satellites, the company was renamed SES Global in 2001 and has been simply "SES" since 2006. The company's stock is listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris with the ticker symbol SESG and is a component of the LuxX, CAC Next 20 and Euronext 100 stock market indexes.
A book, High Above, telling the story of the founding of SES and the development of its first Astra satellites was published in 2010 to mark the company's 25th Anniversary, and was followed by Even Higher in 2012 and Beyond Frontiers in 2016.
History
[edit]Early years
[edit]SES was formed on the initiative and support of the Luxembourgish government in 1985 as Société Européenne des Satellites (SES). The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg remains a major shareholder. In December 1988, as Europe's first private satellite operator, SES launched its first satellite, Astra 1A, to the 19.2° East orbital position. Rupert Murdoch's Sky TV, along with German broadcasters Pro7, Sat.1, and RTL were among Astra's first major customers.[11]
By 1990, Astra was broadcasting to 14 million cable and DTH (Direct to Home) viewers. SES was the pioneer of 'co-location' by which several satellites share the same orbital position to provide mutual backup and increase the number of channels available to a fixed receiving dish, creating what became known as a 'satellite neighbourhood'. Astra's prime slot, 19.2° East, saw as many as eight satellites sharing the position simultaneously and helped to build up Astra's reputation for reliability.[11]
Rapid growth in Germany, in what would become Astra's largest European market, was helped by the German government's decision to liberalize the installation of dishes in 1991. In this time SES became the leading satellite system providing direct-to-home transmission, and became the world's largest satellite platform for TV distribution.[citation needed]
In 1996, after the launch of Astra 1E, SES pioneered digital satellite transmission with the French Canal+. In 1998, SES launched Astra 2A for the UK market, transmitting at the new orbital position 28.2° East, and eventually moving all of its United Kingdom and Ireland transmission capacity to this orbital slot.[citation needed] In the same year, SES went public on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange trading as SESG (in 2005 SES would also list on the Paris Euronext).[citation needed]
Global expansion
[edit]From 1999, SES began a period of ambitious global expansion beyond its European home market. Geographic expansion went hand-in-hand with the diversification of SES' services beyond just TV broadcasting, to cover telecommunication services for businesses, telecommunications companies and government customers, as well as broadband access and technical consultancy services.
In 1999, SES acquired a 34.13% stake in Hong Kong-based satellite operator AsiaSat and took a foothold in Asia and the Pacific region.[11] A year later, SES acquired 50% of Scandinavian satellite broadcaster Nordic Satellite AB (NSAB),[12] later renamed SES Sirius, which strengthened SES' coverage in northern and eastern Europe. The same year, SES also took a participation of 19.99% in Brazilian satellite operator Star One, gaining a first presence in Latin America.
In 2001, SES bought 28.75% of Argentina's Nahuelsat and acquired GE Americom, giving it a solid presence in the important North American market. This resulted in the formation of SES Global, a corporate entity with two operating companies, SES Astra and SES Americom. Altogether, SES operated a fleet of 41 geostationary satellites, the largest in the world in 2001.[13]
Further acquisitions followed. In 2003, SES' stake in NSAB was increased to 75%[14] and in 2005 SES acquired a participation in Canadian satellite operator Ciel and in Mexico's Quetzsat, as well as the divestment from Nahuelsat.
SES acquired services provider, Digital Playout Centre GmbH (later Astra Platform Services, then SES Platform Services, then MX1, now merged into SES) in 2005.[11] and in 2006 SES also acquired ND SatCom, a German provider of government services,[15] developing a services portfolio beyond just bandwidth provision.
Also in 2006, SES acquired New Skies Satellites, later renamed SES New Skies, adding six satellites to the SES fleet and strengthening coverage in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.[16]
In 2007, SES divested from its holdings in AsiaSat and Star One in a complex transaction with General Electric which itself divested from SES.[17]
In 2008, SES increased its stake in NSAB to 90%.[18] and merged its two international operating units, SES Americom and SES New Skies into a new segment which was branded SES World Skies in September 2009.[19]
In 2009, SES and Middle East satellite operator Yahsat announced the formation of a joint venture, YahLive, to commercialise 23 Ku-band transponders on Yahsat 1A, serving the Middle East, North Africa and Western Asia with direct-to-home TV services.[20] Also in 2009, SES announced its investment in O3b Networks a project to build a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellation to deliver high-speed, low-latency, fibre-like internet broadband trunking to the world's emerging regions ("the Other 3 billion").[21]
In 2010, SES grew its stake in SES Sirius to 100%[22] and closed the acquisition of the in-orbit satellite Protostar-2/Indostar-2, renaming it SES-7 and integrating it into its fleet covering India and Southeast Asia.[23]
In May and September 2011, SES restructured and rebranded the company to streamline the organisation's activities under a single management team and one main brand (SES), incorporating the company's two previous operating entities, SES Astra and SES World Skies.[24][25]
Global operator
[edit]In August 2011, the Astra 1N satellite was launched to the 28.2° East orbital position,[26] and in September 2011, the QuetzSat 1 satellite was launched to 77.0° West[27]
In February 2012, SES-4 was successfully launched to become SES' 50th satellite and the largest, heaviest and most powerful in the fleet.[28] In July 2012, SES-5, the 51st SES Satellite was launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan to 5.0° East with 36 Ku-band transponders to provide coverage over Sub-Saharan Africa and the Nordic and the Baltic regions in Europe, and 28 C-band transponders for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.[29]
In September 2012, Astra 2F was successfully launched from Kourou in French Guiana, the first of three "next generation" satellites at the second Astra orbital position at 28.2° East. The satellite has Ku-band coverage of all Europe, the British Isles and sub-Saharan Africa for DTH television, and Ka-band coverage of Central Europe for the SES Broadband satellite internet service.[30]
SES-6 was launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan on 3 June 2013 to 40.5° East, to replace NSS-806 and provide continuity of service and expansion capacity in C-band for Latin America and the Caribbean. The satellite has 43 C-band and 48 Ku-band transponders with comprehensive coverage of North America, Latin America, Europe and the Atlantic Ocean.[31]
Astra 2E was launched to the Astra 28.2° East position from Baikonur in Kazakhstan on 30 September 2013 to provide free-to-air and encrypted DTH digital TV and satellite broadband services for Europe and the Middle East.[32] The successful launch followed a 10-week delay due to the postponement of all launches by launch services provider ILS after a catastrophic failure of the rocket in a previous launch.[33]
In December 2013, SES-8 was launched from Cape Canaveral using a SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1, the first geostationary satellite to be launched with a SpaceX rocket.[34]
In March 2014, Astra 5B was launched as SES' 56th satellite to the Astra 31.5° East position from Kourou in French Guiana to provide transponder capacity and extend geographical reach over Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) for DTH, direct-to-cable and contribution feeds to digital terrestrial television networks.[35]
In April 2014, Romain Bausch stepped down as president and CEO of SES, a position he had held since 1995 overseeing the growth of the company from a European Direct-to-Home satellite system with four satellites into a global satellite industry leader operating a fleet of more than 50 satellites. Bausch continues to serve SES as a non-executive Director, and is elected to take the role of chairman at the start of 2015. He was succeeded as CEO by Karim Michel Sabbagh.[36]
In May 2014 SES announced that the engineering services division, SES TechCom had joined with the Luxembourg Government and the Minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, and five Non-governmental organisations (NGO) – Archemed, Fondation Follereau, Friendship, German Doctors and Médecins Sans Frontières to form Satmed, an eHealth platform to improve public health in emerging and developing countries, especially in remote areas with poor connectivity.[37]
In July 2014, SES announced that nearly half of the SES satellite fleet is controlled from the new satellite operations center (SOC) opened at its sales and engineering offices in Princeton, New Jersey. 23 satellites are controlled from Princeton with the remainder operated from SES's global headquarters in Luxembourg.[38]
Astra 2G, the final "next generation" satellite for the 28.2° East orbital position was launched from the Baikonur in December 2014 to deliver broadcast, VSAT and broadband services to Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and to connect West Africa to Europe via Ka-band.[39]
On 13 January 2015, SES announced that it plans to procure and launch a satellite in partnership with the Luxembourg Government, to be called GovSat-1. Jointly owned, the satellite is launched in 2017 to an orbital position above Europe and provide governmental and military communications in the X-band and Ka-band with coverage of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.[40]
In February 2016, it was announced that, subject to regulatory approvals, subsidiary, SES Platform Services would purchase RR Media, a global digital media services provider to the broadcast and media industries, based in Israel.[41] In July 2016, SES announced that the acquisition was complete and that the merged company would be known as MX1.[42]
In March 2016, the SES-9 satellite was successfully launched by a Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket from Cape Canaveral after four previous attempts on 24 February, 25 February, 28 February, and 1 March 2016 - all aborted due to weather and launcher problems.[43] The satellite used electric propulsion to reach geostationary orbit and will be positioned at 108.2° East to provide 81 Ku-band transponder equivalents for pay-TV, data and mobility across Northeast Asia and South Asia, and Indonesia.[44]
In April 2016, SES announced that (subject to regulatory approvals which are expected to be completed by the end of 2016) it will pay US$20 million to increase its fully diluted ownership of O3b Networks from 49.1% to 50.5%, taking a controlling share in the company.[45] In May 2016, SES said it would raise another US$710 million to purchase 100% of O3b Networks, exercising a call option with O3b minority shareholders and eliminating the possibility of an O3b stock offering,[46] and then subsequently announced the completion of the capital raising[47] and completion of the acquisition.[48]
In May 2016, Modern Times Group, owner of the Viasat DTH platform announced that the Viasat Ultra HD channel would launch in the autumn on the SES-5 satellite at 5.0° East, as the first UHD channel for the Nordic region and the first UHD Sports channel in the World. The channel will feature selected live sport events especially produced in Ultra HD and Viasat will also be launching an Ultra HD set-top box from Samsung and a TV-module to enable existing UHD TVs to display the channel.[49] SES claimed the launch of Viasat Ultra HD will bring the number of UHD channels (including test channels and regional versions) carried on SES satellites to 24, or 46% of all UHD channels broadcast via satellite worldwide.[50]
On 30 March 2017, the SES-10 satellite was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket using a refurbished first stage booster that had been previously used to launch a SpaceX Dragon cargo ship to the International Space Station for NASA in April 2016 and then landed and recovered. This is the first time that a rocket booster has been reused in this way. Both the Falcon 9 first stage and the payload fairing were successfully recovered after the SES-10 launch for subsequent reuse. SES-10 is positioned at 67.0° West to serve Latin America.[51]
In April 2017, the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs extended the contract with SES to maintain, support, and continue to develop the Satmed eHealth platform to improve public health in remote areas of developing countries until 2020, extending the provision of satellite connectivity over Africa, the Philippines and Bangladesh.[52]
In May 2017, SES announced the successful integration with the SES-14 satellite of the NASA Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) scientific hosted payload built by the University of Colorado Boulder Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics. The first scientific payload carried by an SES satellite, GOLD was integrated with SES-14 at Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, France ahead of its launch to 47.5° West in late 2017 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Full Thrust from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.[53]
In June 2017, SES announced the start of a 30-month project by the Satellite and Terrestrial Network for 5G (SaT5G) consortium for the seamless, and economically viable, integration of satellite (such as SES' geostationary orbit and medium Earth orbit high throughput satellites) into future 5G networks, improving the ubiquity, resilience and efficiency of 5G services, and opening new markets in media distribution, transport and underserved areas. The consortium is funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 programme and comprises 16 members, including SES and Airbus Defence and Space, Avanti Communications, British Telecom, Broadpeak, Gilat Satellite Networks, OneAccess, Thales Alenia Space, TNO, University of Surrey, and Zodiac Inflight Innovation.[54]
In September 2017, SES announced the next generation of O3b satellites and service. Named O3b mPOWER, the new constellation of (initially) seven MEO satellites built by Boeing Satellite Systems will deliver 10 terabits of capacity globally through 30,000 spot beams for broadband internet services. O3b mPOWER is expected to launch in 2021.[55]
On 11 October 2017, a flight-proven (refurbished) SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the SES-11 satellite to the geostationary orbital position of 105.0° West. The launch was originally set for late 2016 but suffered a year-long delay because of SpaceX's September 2016 Falcon 9 explosion. SES-11 was built by Airbus Defence and Space and is a dual mission satellite, with 24 Ku-band transponders marketed by EchoStar as EchoStar 105 to replace capacity on SES' AMC-15 satellite, and 24 C-band transponders marketed by SES as SES-11 for replacement capacity for AMC-18 delivering video, especially HD and UHD, to the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean.[56] Following positioning at 105.0° West and in-orbit testing, SES-11 was declared fully operational on 29 November 2017.[57]
In February 2018, SES teamed up with Intelsat (later joined by Eutelsat in July 2018) for a proposal to United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to form a consortium of satellite service providers to protect the quality and reliability of existing video and audio services to United States households downlinking in the 3700-4200 MHz C-band spectrum while enabling wireless operators to access 100 MHz of C-band spectrum for deployment of next generation 5G services in the United States.[58][59]
In March 2018, Saint Martin-based satellite TV provider KiwiSAT launched a new DTH platform to deliver about 130 channels (including 90 HD channels) of TV entertainment to consumers across the Caribbean using the SES-10 satellite at 67.0° West.[60]
In May 2018, SES broadcast an 8K television signal via its satellite system for the first time, as part of its Industry Days conference at the Luxembourg HQ. The 8K demonstration content, with a resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels, a frame rate of 60 frames per second and 10-bit colour depth, was encoded in HEVC and transmitted at a rate of 80 Mbit/s via the Astra 3B satellite.[61]
In September 2018, in response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking of July 2018 from the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz spectrum available for next-generation terrestrial fixed and mobile broadband services,[62] SES, along with Intelsat, Eutelsat and Telesat - together providing the majority of C-band satellite services in the United States, including media distribution reaching 100 million United States households - established the C-Band Alliance (CBA). The consortium's proposal to the FCC is to act as a facilitator for the clearing and repurposing of a 200 MHz portion of C-band spectrum to accelerate the deployment of next generation 5G services while protecting incumbent users and their content distribution and data networks in the US from potential interference.[63][64]
In April 2019, four O3b medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites were launched by Arianespace at the Centre Spatial Guyanais in Kourou, French Guiana to complete the constellation of 20 first generation satellites for the SES-owned network communications service provider.[65]
In May 2019, for the first time in Europe, 8K demonstration content was received via satellite without the need for a separate external receiver or decoder. At the 2019, SES Industry Days conference at Betzdorf, Luxembourg broadcast quality 8K content (with a resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels at 50 frames/s) was encoded using a Spin Digital HEVC encoder (at a bit rate of 70 Mbit/s), uplinked to a single 33 MHz transponder on SES' Astra 28.2°E satellites and the downlink received and displayed on a Samsung 82in Q950RB production model TV.[66]
In September 2019, SES announced it had partnered with satellite payload and network management systems developer, Kythera Space Solutions to develop the ARC (Adaptive Resource Control) software to enable the dynamic control and optimisation of power, throughput, beams and frequency allocation on O3b mPOWER, SES-17 and other future high-throughput satellites and their networks, autonomously optimizing space and ground resources, on-the-fly, in accordance with customers' changing needs.[67][68]
In September 2019, SES became a Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute services partner to provide dedicated, private network connectivity from sea vessels, aircraft, and industrial or government sites anywhere in the world to the Azure cloud computing service, via both its geostationary and O3b medium Earth orbit satellites.[69]
In September 2019, SES announced a new Free-to-view DTH platform on Astra 1N at 19.2° East, encrypted using Verimatrix and carrying 30-40 channels from Russian-language OTT broadcaster Kartina TV for Russian-speaking diaspora across Europe with limited broadband connectivity.[70]
In September 2019, the media technical services provider MX1, a wholly owned subsidiary of SES, was merged into the SES Video division, dropping the MX1 brand and providing all broadcast and streamed content management, playout, distribution, and monetisation services under the SES name.[71]
In May 2020, SES released the results of the 2019 Satellite Monitor TV reception survey, which for the first time covered the Philippines. The survey found satellite TV is the second-most popular mode of TV reception in the Philippines with 17% of over 20.8 million TV households, behind terrestrial TV (66%), and that broadcasts from SES satellites reach 98% of Filipino satellite TV households.[72]
On 26 May 2020, SES elected to clear a portion of the C-Band spectrum in the United States, currently used for satellite TV services, in accordance with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order for the accelerated release of the 3.7-4.0 GHz portion of the band for 5G mobile broadband services. The SES Board of Directors approved US$1.6 billion for the procurement and launch of new satellites and other equipment and services for the migration of existing customers using the spectrum, which will be reimbursable through the FCC Clearinghouse.[73] In June 2020, SES announced that four new C-band satellites had been ordered for this purpose from United States manufacturers, Boeing and Northrop Grumman. SES-18 and SES-19 will be GEOStar-3 satellites designed, assembled, and tested by Northrop Grumman, and SES-20 and SES-21 will be all-electric 702SP satellites from Boeing. Each satellite will have ten 36 MHz C-band transponders for delivery of digital TV and data services, and will be launched in 2022 to orbital slots at 103.0° West, 131.0° West and 135.0° West.[74]
In July 2020, SES launched a free-to-air information channel, Fight COVID-19, across several satellites to combat the global coronavirus pandemic. Available to millions of households across Africa, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, and providing underserved and rural communities with critical information about how to limit the spread of the virus, the content is provided by trusted organisations such as UNICEF, AFP and other international and regional organisations. The channel is broadcast from SES-5 (5.0° East) for Sub-Saharan Africa, Astra 4A (5.0° East) for Europe and Ukraine, Astra 2F (28.2° East) for West Africa, NSS-12 (57.0° East) for Ethiopia and adjacent countries, and SES-9 (108.2° East) for the Philippines.[75]
In August 2020, SES ordered two C-Band geostationary TV satellites from Thales Alenia Space. SES-22 and SES-23 are the last of six satellites SES needs to relocate existing C-band services from a portion of the C-band spectrum in accordance with the Federal Communications Commission's plans to repurpose the frequencies for 5G cellular networks.[76]
In August 2020 SES contracted Boeing to build four O3b mPOWER satellites in addition to the seven already under construction. SpaceX was contracted for an additional two launches, to make four launches for the whole O3b mPOWER constellation in 2021–2024.[77][78]
In September 2020, SES and Microsoft announced that SES was the medium Earth orbit connectivity partner for the Microsoft Azure Orbital ground station service that enables network operators to control their satellite operations and capacity from within the Azure cloud computing service. Under their agreement, SES and Microsoft will jointly invest in Azure Orbital ground stations for the MEO and Earth Observation segments, initially in the US, which will be installed and managed by SES. Also, satellite telemetry, tracking and control systems and data ground stations for the O3b mPOWER satellites will be located with Microsoft's Azure edge sites to provide O3b mPOWER customers with ‘one-hop’ access to Azure cloud services.[79][80]
In February 2021, SES agreed multi-year extension capacity contracts worth over €66 million with European public service broadcasters including ARD, BBC, BVN, France 24, TV5Monde and ZDF[81]
In March 2021, the Luxembourg government further extended the contract with SES to provide the Satmed satellite eHealth platform to improve public health in remote areas of developing countries until 2024, with a €6.5 billion budget and plans for additional functionalities and deployments, and new partnerships with both more NGOs and supranational organisations to provide regional or cross-country support.[82]
In June 2021, SES joined the Amazon Web Services Direct Connect Delivery Partner programme, to provide customers access to AWS cloud-based applications and services from locations around the world with limited or no terrestrial communications, claiming to be the first satellite operator to do so. The service is provided via SES' geostationary satellites and the O3b medium Earth orbit satellites and also gives cloud providers a backup network if their infrastructure fails.[83]
In July 2021, SES entered into a capacity agreement with Indian public sector enterprise, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) for 9 transponders on the SES-8 satellite at 95°E, for distribution of satellite TV services across India and the thriving direct-to-home market.[84]
In August 2021, Microsoft became the first cloud computing provider customer for SES' O3b medium Earth orbit satellite system, with Microsoft buying managed satellite connectivity services from SES for the Microsoft Azure cloud service. Microsoft is initially using the existing first generation O3b satellites, before upgrading to the faster broadband speeds from the O3b mPOWER satellites when they come into operation in 2022.[85]
In September 2021, the wholly-owned direct-to-consumer HD service in Germany, HD+ launched the HD+ ToGo app for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets giving existing subscribers access to the platform's 50 HD channels, along with catch-up services and online functions, on mobile devices for an additional fee.[86]
In October 2021, the SES-17 satellite was launched from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, SES's first geostationary Ka-band high-throughput satellite. SES-17 has an all-electric propulsion system and will reach its 67.1°W position in geostationary orbit in mid-2022, providing coverage for aeronautical, maritime, enterprise, and government markets across the Americas, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. It has a fully digital payload with nearly 200 reprogrammable spot beams that can be freely interconnected and changed in power and frequency in real-time to adapt to changing customer demands, and will operate in conjunction with SES's O3b mPOWER medium Earth orbit satellites as a multi-orbit system.[87][88]
In November 2021, SES ordered two replacement satellites from Thales Alenia Space for launch in 2024 to SES's original orbital position at 19.2°E and service well into the 2040s. Like the satellites currently at the Astra 19.2°E slot (Astra 1KR, Astra 1L, Astra 1M, and Astra 1N - all launched 10–15 years ago, with the older two at the end of their planned life), Astra 1P will provide direct-to-home broadcast TV to Europe, in particular Germany, France and Spain. Astra 1Q is a reconfigurable software defined satellite with both wide beams for broadcast TV and high-throughput spot beams for video and data customers.[89][90]
In November 2021, SES announced that wholly owned subsidiary HD+, the premium HD and UHD satellite TV service for German users, would start a new service, HD+ IP, in December 2021 to stream HD+ channels to viewers' TV sets through a smart TV app without the need for a dish or set-top box, for a subscription of €6 per month.[91]
In December 2021, SES's wholly owned subsidiary SES Government Solutions (now SES Space & Defense) announced that the US Army has conducted trials of commercial satellite constellations in multiple orbits, including SES's O3b medium Earth orbit satellites, as part of the effort to establish Multi-Domain Operations.[92]
In December 2021, Honeywell, Hughes Network Systems and SES demonstrated multi-orbit high-speed airborne connectivity for military customers using Honeywell's JetWave MCX terminal and a Hughes HM-series modem, and SES satellites in both medium Earth orbit (MEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO). The tests achieved full duplex data rates of more than 40 megabits per second via a number of SES' (GEO) satellites including GovSat-1, and the high-throughput, low-latency O3b MEO satellite constellation, with connections moving between GEO/MEO links in under 30 sec.[93]
In February 2022, SES formed a joint venture with India's biggest telco, Jio Platforms (JPL). The newly formed Jio Space Technology Limited will deliver broadband services in India of up to 100 Gbit/s capacity, using the SES-12 high-throughput geostationary satellite and the O3b mPOWER medium Earth orbit satellite constellation, to extend JPL's terrestrial network, enhancing access to digital services in unconnected areas within India and the region. JPL and SES will own 51% and 49% equity stake respectively in the new company.[94]
In February 2022, Orange announced that, along with SES, it will deploy and manage the first gateway in Africa for SES's O3b mPOWER medium Earth orbit satellite constellation, to provide high-speed, low-latency, and cloud-optimised connectivity services across Africa, and to support telemetry, tracking and command functions for the satellites. The gateway will be located at the Sonatel teleport in Gandoul, Senegal.[95]
In March 2022, SES announced a deal with mobile operator, Verizon to speed up deployment of 5G services in the US. Under the agreement, SES will install filters and other equipment to Earth Stations across the entire country, to give Verizon access to the 3.7-3.8 GHz C-band spectrum in key regions ahead of the deadlines for relocation of existing satellite services set out in the FCC's order to make part of the C-Band spectrum available for 5G terrestrial fixed and mobile broadband services.[96]
In March 2022, SES announced the agreement to acquire DRS Global Enterprise Solutions (GES), a US-based subsidiary of defence contractor, Leonardo DRS for US$450 million. GES provides managed satcom services to the US Defence Department and other government agencies, and when the transaction is concluded (expected towards the end of 2022 after regulatory approvals) the business will be combined with SES subsidiary, SES Government Solutions (now SES Space & Defense), doubling its revenue from the US government and further expanding market access for SES's next-generation Medium Earth orbit network, O3b mPOWER, which will begin operation at that time.[97]
In March 2022, SES extended the November 2021 order for two satellites from Thales Alenia Space with a third satellite, SES-26. With both Ku-band and C-band transponders, the reconfigurable software-defined satellite will replace NSS-12 at 57°E, providing content delivery and connectivity across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.[98]
In May 2022, SES subsidiary, SES Government Solutions (now SES Space & Defense), in partnership with Earth imaging company, Planet Labs PBC, was awarded a US$28.96 million contract from NASA's Communications Services Project for real-time, always-on low-latency connectivity services to NASA spacecraft, using SES's geostationary orbiting C-band satellites and medium Earth orbiting Ka-band satellites, including the O3b mPOWER constellation.[99][100]
In May 2022, in conjunction with Kazakhstani mobile network operator, Kcell, SES used the O3b satellite constellation to demonstrate that medium Earth orbit satellites could be used to provide high-speed 3G and 4G connectivity to remote regions of Kazakhstan for reliable video calling, conferencing and streaming, and web browsing, with a latency five times lower than on the existing platform based on geostationary orbit satellites.[101][102]
In June 2022, the SES-22 satellite was successfully launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station by a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. SES-22 will operate at 135° W, and is the first to launch of SES's six geostationary C-band satellites (SES-18, SES-19, SES-20, SES-21, SES-22, and SES-23) that will enable existing TV and radio services to be moved from the lower 300 MHz of the C-band spectrum to the upper 200 MHz, as part of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) programme to make room for the deployment of 5G services across the US.[103][104]
In August 2022, SES completed the US$450 million acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions (GES) from US defence contractor, Leonardo DRS, after obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. The business will be combined with SES subsidiary, SES Government Solutions (now SES Space & Defense) to create a “scaled solutions provider serving the multi-orbit satellite communications needs of the US Government” and SES's largest data business segment by revenue.[105]
In October 2022, the SES-20 and SES-21 satellites were successfully launched on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral. The two Boeing-built C-band satellites are part of SES's programme to clear part of the C-band spectrum for 5G services. SES-20 and SES-21 will be positioned at 103° West and 131° West, respectively, to provide a continued service of TV and radio broadcasts to the US. The satellites were expected to begin operations in November 2022.[106] SES-21 became operational at 131° West on 1 December 2022.[107] SES-20 arrived at the 103° West orbital slot on 5 January 2023 where it will serve as an in-orbit spare satellite in case of failure of other SES satellites used in the C-band clearance programme.[108]
In October 2022, SES announced that it had launched a content distribution platform dedicated to sports and events, providing coverage over Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, for customers including broadcasters, professional sports leagues, national and international sports associations, and sports rights holders.[109]
In December 2022, following the acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions in August 2022, and its merger into SES Government Solutions, the combined subsidiary company was renamed SES Space & Defense, and restructured into two business units, Space Initiatives (using SES's multi-orbit satellite fleet and infrastructure) and Defense Networks (providing multi-operator managed services and end-to-end mission communications).[110]
On 16 December 2022, the first two O3b mPOWER satellites were successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 5:48 pm local time. It is expected to take approximately six months for each satellite to reach its designated medium Earth orbit and for commissioning, and the O3b mPower service to start in Q3 2023.[111]
Recent events
[edit]In January 2023, SES announced an agreement with High View, the Munich-based owner of the Deluxe Music channel, to lease additional capacity on the Astra 19.2°E satellites for four new music channels, Deluxe Dance by Kontor, Deluxe Flashback, Deluxe Rock and Deluxe Rap. Aimed at German-speaking viewers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the new channels started on 1 February 2023 and broadcast free-to-air.[112] In February, High View announced that its streamed travel and documentary channels, Xplore, Hip Trips and One Terra will also broadcast free-to-air via Astra 19.2°E from 1 March 1, 2023.[113]
On 26 January 2023, the Astra 2D satellite was decommissioned and retired to a graveyard orbit more than 22 years after its launch in December 2000. Astra 2D was built for SES by Hughes Space and Communications (now Boeing Satellite Development Center) with a design life of 15 years providing direct-to-home digital TV distribution from the Astra 28.2°E orbital position. It was the last commercial spin-stabilised spacecraft built by Hughes and, at the time of its retirement, the only one still in operation.[114]
In February 2023, SES notified the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that the deployment plan for the SES-18 and SES-19 satellites (to be launched as part of the C-band clearance programme) had been revised from the FCC licence granted in March 2022. SES-18 would now be positioned at 103°W (previously to be deployed at 131°W) and SES-19 will be at 135°W (previously 103°W).[115][116]
In March 2023, SES successfully launched the SES-18 and SES-19 satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Built by Northrop Grumman, the two C-band GEOStar-3 satellites are the final satellites to be launched in SES's programme to relocate existing TV, radio, and data services to America from a portion of the C-band spectrum in accordance with the Federal Communications Commission's plans to repurpose the frequencies for 5G networks. Three other satellites (SES-20, SES-21, and SES-22) have already been launched for the C-band clearance programme, and a sixth (SES-23) will be used as a ground spare.[117]
In March 2023, SES confirmed that the company was in talks about a merger with rival satellite operator Intelsat.[118] In June 2023, it was announced that these discussions had ended.[119]
On 28 April 2023, the third and fourth O3b mPOWER satellites were successfully launched by SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The two high-throughput satellites will join the first two O3b mPOWER craft, launched in December 2022, in medium Earth orbit (MEO) to provide connectivity services beginning later in the year.[120][121]
In June 2023, the launch of the fifth and sixth O3b mPOWER satellites was delayed. Previously slated for launch in Q2 2023, the fifth and sixth O3b mPOWER satellites are now expected to launch in July or later, to complete the six satellites in orbit required for the start of commercial service in Q3 2023 (later revised to Q4 2023).[122] The service will be expanded with the launch of further O3b mPOWER satellites - 7 and 8 later in the year, and 9, 10 and 11 in 2024.[123][124][125]
In June 2023, SES announced that chief executive officer, Steve Collar was stepping down at the end of June and that Chief Technology Officer, Ruy Pinto would act as Interim CEO until a replacement was found.[126] Subsequently, in October 2023, Adel Al-Saleh (CEO at T-Systems International) was appointed CEO, to take up the position in February 2024.[127]
In June 2023, SES announced that the Luxembourg Parliament had approved funding of €195m over 10 years for the Medium Earth Orbit Global Services programme to provide capacity on SES' O3b mPOWER network for defence, security, and disaster recovery, to Luxembourg, its partners and NATO.[125]
In June 2023, SES announced that the SES-18 C-band satellite became operational at 103°W and that SES-19 had reached its orbital destination at 135°W. Both satellites were launched in March 2023, the last of five SES satellites in the programme to relocate existing satellite services from a portion of the C-band spectrum in accordance with the Federal Communications Commission's plans to repurpose the frequencies for 5G networks. With all five satellites deployed (a sixth satellite, SES-23 acts as a 'ground spare'), SES is ahead of the FCC's December 2023 deadline and in line for incentive payments.[128]
In July 2023, SES announced that the new English-language news channel, TVRI World from Indonesian public broadcaster, TVRI was broadcast in HD across Europe from the Astra 19.2°E position and to the Middle East via YahSat 52.5°E, with SES providing playout services, encoding, content delivery and signal monitoring.[129]
In August 2023, SES announced that the start of commercial service of the O3b mPOWER system would now be by the end of 2023, with the launch of the fifth and sixth O3b mPOWER satellites (required for commercial service) in Q3 2023, and that the SES-17 high-throughput GEO satellite (launched 2021) and the O3b mPOWER MEO system now have a combined contract backlog of US$1.025 billion.[130]
In September 2023, SES announced a satellite internet service for cruise lines using both SES' own O3b mPOWER satellites in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and SpaceX's Starlink low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Integrated, sold and delivered by SES, the SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink service claims to combine the best features of LEO and MEO orbits to provide high-speed, secure connectivity at up to 3 Gbit/s per ship, to cruise ships anywhere in the world.[131][132]
In October 2023, SES announced that power module problems identified in the first four O3b mPOWER satellites, already in orbit, had delayed the launch of satellites 5 and 6 until November 2023 and put back the start of commercial service of the whole medium Earth orbit satellite system (requiring six satellite in orbit) to "early Q2 2024". SES said mitigations would be put in place for the initial satellites to support current and future customers, and that satellites 7 and 8 (to launch H2 2024) and 9-11 (to launch 2025) would be upgraded, and two further satellites (12–13) were to be added to the constellation.[133] SES has a claim with insurers for $472 million relating to the O3b mPOWER satellites 1–4.[134]
On 12 November 2023, the fifth and sixth O3b mPOWER satellites were successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida by SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The two satellites will join O3b mPOWER 1 and 2 (launched in December 2022) and O3b mPOWER 3 and 4 (launched in April 2023) in medium Earth orbit (MEO) and enable the start of the service in February 2024.[135]
In December 2023, SES Space & Defense agreed a five-year contract with the United States Agency for Global Media to provide transponder capacity, teleport services, internet connectivity, terrestrial backbone and end-to-end monitoring and management for the delivery of shortwave AM and FM radio and television broadcasts to a global audience of more than 215 million people across 100 countries.[136]
In February 2024, Adel Al-Saleh took up the position of SES Chief Executive Officer (following his appointment in October 2023). Interim CEO, Ruy Pinto (previously Chief Technology Officer) became Strategic Advisor to the CEO.[137]
In February 2024, SES announced that Virgin Voyages will be the first cruise line to deploy the SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink PRO internet service that uses both SES' O3b mPOWER MEO satellites and SpaceX's Starlink LEO satellite constellation to provide cruise passengers with internet, social media and video calls at up to 1.5 Gbit/s per ship.[138]
In April 2024, SES announced that the O3b mPOWER medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellite system is operational, and services would be rolled out to customers “in the coming months”. The six O3b mPOWER satellites required for the operational start are in place, with seven more satellites, to increase the system capacity, under construction and due to launch over the next two years.[139]
In April 2024, SES announced the acquisition of satellite operator, Intelsat for €2.8 billion ($3.1 billion) cash, expected to complete regulatory clearance in the second half of 2025. With over 100 GEO satellites, 26 MEO satellites, and 13 satellites on order, the combined company's multi-orbit capability will improve competitiveness against rival LEO satellite networks, and has an expected 2024 revenue of €3.8 billion.[9][10][140]
In May 2024, SES announced the Open Orbits Inflight Connectivity Network which combines GEO and MEO Ka-band satellite networks of SES and independent regional operators including NEO Space Group, AeroSat Link, and Hughes Communications India, to enable inflight video and data connectivity to seamlessly move between operators as an aircraft traverses the globe.[141] In October 2024, national airlines, Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines selected SES Open Orbits for aircraft across their fleets.[142]
In June 2024, Astra 1P was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral on a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, the first Astra satellite to be launched by SpaceX. Built by Thales Alenia Space, Astra 1P will be positioned at SES' prime geostationary position of 19.2°E, replacing the four satellites currently there, to provide direct-to-home broadcast TV to Europe, in particular Germany, France and Spain.[143] Using all-electric thrusters, the satellite took several months to reach geostationary orbit. It was first positioned at 9.5° West for testing, successfully completed in December 2024,[144] and then moved towards 19.2° East to begin service.[145]
In October 2024, SES extended until 2029 its long-established partnership with Sky to provide multi-transponder capacity at the Astra 28.2°E orbital position to deliver satellite TV to more than 17 million households across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.[146]
In October 2024, the European Union Commission awarded the concession contract to develop, deploy and operate the EU's proposed secure satellite system, IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite), to the SpaceRISE consortium of satellite operators, SES, Hispasat and Eutelsat, and European space and telecom companies. Funded by the EU, the European Space Agency and private financing, the IRIS² satellite constellation will comprise 290 satellites in multiple orbits, and start service in 2030.[147][148]
On 17 December 2024, the seventh and eighth O3b mPOWER satellites were successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida by SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The two satellites, upgraded to address power issues that hampered the previous O3b mPOWER 1-6 satellites (launched 2022–2023), are expected to take about 100 days to join them in medium Earth orbit (MEO) providing network services to customer sites across the World.[149]
Business and services
[edit]SES provides services through two business units, SES Video and SES Networks, for video-centric and data-centric markets, respectively.[150]
SES Video
[edit](48% of revenue)[4]
SES Video's business comprises video distribution and video services. Video distribution delivers video content via Direct-to-Home, Direct-to-Cable and Internet Protocol television (IPTV) platforms, and includes wholly owned subsidiary HD+, the direct-to-consumer high-definition digital satellite TV platform in Germany. Video services encompasses technical ground services, such as content management, playout, encryption, satellite uplinks and interactive services, to broadcasters worldwide.
SES has been a major player in the development of the direct-to-home market in Europe and the cable TV and Direct-broadcast satellite (DBS) markets in the United States. SES satellites transmit a variety of digital formats from radio to Ultra High Definition TV (UHDTV) and the company has been instrumental in defining technical standards for broadcast and interactive media.
At the end of 2022, SES satellites carried over 8000 TV channels, including more than 3000 HD and UHD channels, to more than 1 billion people in 369 million homes globally, or regionally as follows:[151][152]
Region | Homes reached |
---|---|
Europe | 175.8 million |
North America | 53.2 million |
Africa | 49.5 million |
Latin America | 44 million |
Asia Pacific | 33.1 million |
Middle East | 13.4 million |
In March 2022, SES reported that the breakdown of revenue to SES Video by different sectors was as follows:[151]
Sector | Contribution |
---|---|
Europe TV platforms and distribution in Europe |
57% |
International content delivery to Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa and Middle East |
19% |
HD+ premium HD and UHD satellite TV service for German users |
13% |
North America US direct-to-cable TV distribution |
8% |
Sports and Events global distribution of live sports, news, and events |
3% |
SES Networks
[edit](52% of revenue)[4]
SES Networks provides capacity-on-demand and managed connectivity services in markets as follows:[7][153]
- telecommunications (e.g. mobile backhaul)
- cloud computing (e.g. Microsoft Azure Orbital)
- air travel (e.g. airline passenger entertainment)
- maritime (e.g. shipping, holiday cruises)
- remote industrial (e.g. energy, mining)
- civil government and defence (e.g. through SES Space & Defense (previously, SES Government Solutions))
- humanitarian operations (e.g. Satmed)
In particular, SES Networks uses the O3b and O3b mPOWER satellites in medium Earth orbit (with a latency of less than 150 ms) and SES-17 and GovSat in geostationary orbit.[151]
In March 2022, SES reported that the breakdown of revenue to SES Networks by different sectors was as follows:[151]
Sector | Contribution |
---|---|
Government secure civil and defence connectivity (70% US, 30% other countries) |
40% |
Fixed data networks for clients across US (40%), Africa & Middle East (20%), Americas and Asia-Pacific (20%), ROW (20%) |
32% |
Mobility connectivity for passengers and mobile businesses (50% aero, 50% marine) |
28% |
Business reach
[edit]SES has customers across the World, with revenue by country in 2023 (according to clients' billing addresses) as follows:[4]
Country | Revenue |
---|---|
Luxembourg | €49 million |
US | €759 million |
Germany | €329 million |
UK | €214 million |
France | €75 million |
Others (Europe) | €205 million |
Others (ROW) | €396 million |
Innovations
[edit]SES has pioneered many industry technological developments, including DTH transmission, co-location of satellites, free-to-air broadcast neighbourhoods, digital broadcasting, HDTV[11] and 3DTV.[154][155] SES has also helped develop innovative reception technology such as the first home dish LNBFs, Universal LNBs, optical fibre signal distribution and the Sat-IP system for receiving and distributing satellite signals over home computer networks.
SES has pioneered the broadcast of Ultra High Definition TV (UHDTV) and helped to establish the international technical standards for UHDTV broadcast and reception. SES first produced demonstration UHDTV broadcasts in 2012, transmitted the first HEVC-standard UHDTV in 2013, via Astra 19.2° East,[156] and the first next generation 8K Ultra HD demo in May 2018, via the Astra 3B satellite at 23.5°E.[157] SES broadcast the first live UHDTV satellite broadcast in November 2014 (Linkin Park’s concert at the O2 World in Berlin)[158] and Europe's first free-to-air Ultra HD channel, Pearl TV, launched in September 2015 via Astra 19.2° East[159] A continuous UHDTV demonstration channel has broadcast to Europe from SES's Astra 19.2° East satellite position since 2014 and SES now delivers 12 demo channels via its main orbital positions across the globe.[160] As of 2020, SES was broadcasting over 50 Ultra HD channels worldwide.[161]
SES-8 was the first geostationary satellite to be launched (in 2013) by SpaceX.[162][163] The SES-10 satellite was launched in March 2017 (delayed from October 2016 due to a pad explosion and subsequent loss of a Falcon 9 booster in September 2016[164]) on the first SpaceX launch with a 'flight-proven' (reused) Falcon first stage, recovered from a previous launch.[165] The SES-12, SES-14 and SES-15 satellites (launched in June 2018, January 2018 and May 2017, respectively) are constructed with an electric plasma propulsion system for orbit raising and in-orbit manoeuvres[166] to save weight and enable a larger communications payload to be included. SES reckons that SES-12 would weigh some 4700 kg more with a conventional chemical propulsion system.[163]
SES operates the world’s first multi-orbit communications satellite network, combining geostationary orbit satellites’ wide coverage and reliability, and a medium Earth orbit satellite constellation's low latency and high data throughput. In conjunction with Kythera Space Solutions, SES developed Adaptive Resource Control (ARC) software to dynamically control and optimise power, throughput, and beam and frequency allocation across the multi-orbit network of the O3b and O3b mPOWER medium Earth orbit satellite system, and SES-17 and future geostationary high-throughput satellites.[167] [168] [169]
SES is the first commercial customer for Space Infrastructure Servicing (SIS) future satellite life extension mission, following an agreement in June 2017 with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA). The SIS craft was being built by Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a manufacturing subsidiary of MDA, for the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)'s Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) programme, and will refuel an SES satellite running low on propellant while still in orbit to lengthen its service life.[170] [needs update] SSL (as Maxar) abandoned the DARPA contract in 2019.[171]
Corporate structure
[edit]SES | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Satellite operators |
| |||||
Service companies |
|
Corporate management
[edit]SES is managed by the executive team, which comprises:[173]
- Adel Al-Saleh - chief executive officer
- Ruy Pinto - Strategic Advisor to the CEO
- Nadine Allen - Global Head of Enterprise & Cloud*
- Dr Xavier Bertrán - Chief Product & Innovation Officer
- David Fields - Global Head of Space and Defense
- John-Paul Hemingway - Chief Commercial Officer
- Norbert Hölzle - Global Head of Media
- Veronika Ivanovic - Chief People Officer
- Sandeep Jalan - Chief Financial Officer
- Fabien Loeffler - Chief Transformation Officer
- Simon Maher - Global Head of Maritime
- Greg Orton - Chief M&A and Development Officer
- Thai Rubin - Chief Legal Officer
- Andrew Ruszkowski - Global Head of Aviation
- Nihar Shah - Chief Strategy Officer
- Milton Torres - Chief Technology Officer
In 2002, then CEO, Romain Bausch was awarded 'Satellite Executive of the Year'.[174] In 2019, then CEO, Steve Collar was awarded 'Satellite Executive of the Year'.[175]
Satellite fleet
[edit]The following active satellites are owned and operated by SES, as of October 2022[update].[176][177][178]
SES fleet | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Satellite | SES-1 | SES-2 | SES-3 | SES-4 | SES-5 (was Astra 4B, Sirius 5) |
SES-6 | SES-7 (was ProtoStar 2) |
SES-8 (IPMSAT 2) | SES-9 | SES-10 | SES-11 (Echostar 105) |
SES-12 | SES-14 | SES-15 | GovSa-1 (SES-16) |
SES-17 | SES-18 | SES-19 | SES-20 | SES-21 | SES-22 |
Launch Date | 24 April 2010 | 21 September 2011 | 15 July 2011 | 14 February 2012 | 9 July 2012 | 3 June 2013 | 16 May 2009 | 3 December 2013 | 4 March 2016 | 30 March 2017 | 11 October 2017 | 4 June 2018 | 25 January 2018 | 18 May 2017 | 31 January 2018 | 24 October 2021 | 17 March 2023 | 17 March 2023 | 4 October 2022 | 4 October 2022 | 29 June 2022 |
Launch Vehicle | Proton-M Briz-M |
Ariane 5ECA (VA204) |
Proton-M Briz-M |
Proton-M Briz-M |
Proton-M Briz-M |
Proton-M Briz-M |
Proton-M Briz-M |
Falcon-9 v1.1 | Falcon-9 v1.2 | Falcon-9 v1.2 | Falcon-9 v1.2 | Falcon-9 v1.2 | Ariane 5ECA (VA241) |
Soyuz ST-A (VS17) |
Falcon-9 v1.2 | Ariane 5ECA (VA255) |
Falcon-9 | Falcon-9 | Atlas V 531 | Atlas V 531 | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
Orbital Position | 101.0° West | 87.0° West | 103.0° West | 22.0° West | 5.0° East | 40.5° West | 108.2° East | 95.0° East | 108.2° East | 67.0° West | 105.0° West | 95.0° East | 47.5° West | 129.0° West | 21.5° East | 67.1° West | 103° West | 135° West | 103° West | 131° West | 135° West |
AMC fleet | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Satellite | AMC-4 | AMC-6 | AMC-8 | AMC-11 | AMC-15 | AMC-16 | AMC-18 | AMC-21 | ||
Launch Date | 13 November 1999 | 22 October 2000 | 20 December 2000 | 19 May 2004 | 14 October 2004 | 17 December 2004 | 8 December 2006 | 14 August 2008 | ||
Launch Vehicle | Ariane 44LP (V123) |
Proton-K DM3 |
Ariane 5G (V138) |
Atlas-2AS | Proton-M Briz-M |
Atlas-5 | Ariane 5 ECA (V174) |
Ariane 5 ECA (V185) | ||
Orbital Position | 135.0° West | 139.0° West | 135.0° West | 131.0° West | 105.0° West | 85.0° West | 83.0° West | 125.0° West |
Astra fleet | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Satellite | Astra 1KR | Astra 1L | Astra 1M | Astra 1N | Astra 2E | Astra 2F | Astra 2G | Astra 3B | Astra 4A (was Sirius 4) |
Astra 1P |
Launch Date | 24 April 2006 | 4 May 2007 | 5 November 2008 | 6 August 2011 | 29 September 2013 | 28 September 2012 | 27 December 2014 | 21 May 2010 | 17 November 2007 | 20 June 2024 |
Launch Vehicle | Atlas-5 | Ariane 5 ECA (V176) |
Proton-M Briz-M |
Ariane 5 ECA (VA203) |
Proton-M Briz-M |
Ariane 5 ECA (VA209) |
Proton-M Briz-M |
Ariane 5 ECA (V194) |
Proton-M Briz-M |
Falcon 9 Block 5 |
Orbital Position | 19.2° East | 19.2° East | 19.2° East | 19.2° East | 28.2° East | 28.2° East | 28.2° East | 23.5° East | 5.0° East | en route to 19.2° East |
NSS fleet | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Satellite | NSS-6 | NSS-7 | NSS-9 | NSS-10 (was AMC-12) |
NSS-11 | NSS-12 | |
Launch Date | 17 December 2002 | 16 April 2002 | 12 February 2009 | 3 February 2005 | 1 October 2000 | 29 October 2009 | |
Launch Vehicle | Ariane 44L (V156) |
Ariane 44L (V150) |
Ariane 5 ECA (V187) |
Proton-M Briz-M |
Proton-K DM3 |
Ariane 5 ECA (V192) | |
Orbital Position | 169.5° West | 20.0° West | 177.0° West | 37.5° West | 176° East | 57.0° East |
O3b fleet | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Satellite | O3b PFM, FM2, FM4–5 | O3b FM3, FM6–FM8 | O3b FM9–12 | O3b FM13–16 | O3b FM17–20 | O3b mPOWER 1-2 (O3b FM21-22) |
O3b mPOWER 3-4 (O3b FM23-24) |
O3b mPOWER 5-6 (O3b FM25-26) |
O3b mPOWER 7-8 (O3b FM27-28) |
Launch Date | 25 June 2013 | 10 July 2014 | 18 December 2014 | 9 March 2018 | 4 April 2019 | 16 December 2022 | 28 April 2023 | 12 November 2023 | 17 December 2024 |
Launch Vehicle | Soyuz ST-B (VS05) |
Soyuz ST-B (VS08) |
Soyuz ST-B (VS10) |
Soyuz ST-B (VS18) |
Soyuz ST-B (VS22) |
Falcon 9 | Falcon 9 | Falcon 9 | Falcon 9 |
Orbital Position | non-synchronous medium Earth orbit |
Third-party satellites operated by SES | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Satellite | Ciel-2 | MonacoSAT | QuetzSat 1 | Yahsat 1A |
Launch Date | 10 December 2008 | 27 April 2015 | 29 September 2011 | 22 April 2011 |
Launch Vehicle | Proton-M Briz-M |
Falcon 9 v1.1 | Proton-M Briz-M |
Ariane 5 ECA (VA201) |
Orbital Position | 129.0° West | 52.0° East | 77.0° West | 52.5° East |
Future satellite launches
[edit]Satellite name | Launch date | Orbital position | Frequency bands | Coverage area | Manufacturer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
O3b mPOWER 9, 10, 11 | 2025[179] | MEO | Ka-band | Global reach with steerable spot beams | Boeing |
O3b mPOWER 12, 13 | Q4 2026[179] | MEO | Ka-band | Global reach with steerable spot beams | Boeing |
SES-23[180] | n/a | ground spare | C-Band | North America | Thales Alenia Space |
Astra 1Q | 2027[181] | 19.2°E | Ku-band | Europe | Thales Alenia Space |
SES-26[98] | 2027[181] | 57°E | Ku-band, C-Band | Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific | Thales Alenia Space |
Eagle-1 | 2026[181] | LEO | optical | Europe | - |
Hosted payloads
[edit]SES is active in the hosted payload market, selling space on planned and under-construction satellites to governments and institutions. SES-2 (launched September 2011) carries the US Air Force's Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP), a wide field-of-view, passive infrared sensor to provide early warning of missile launches, the first time a US Air Force payload has been hosted on a commercial mission.[182]
The SES-5 and Astra 5B satellites (launched July 2012 and March 2014, respectively) incorporate European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) payloads, a supplementary network to the Global Positioning System (GPS) and GLONASS navigation systems.[183][184]
SES-15 (launched May 2017) includes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) air navigation aid to augment the Global Positioning System (GPS), with the goal of improving its accuracy, integrity and availability.[185]
SES-14 (launched January 2018) hosts the Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission for NASA to investigate the Sun's impact on the Earth's thermosphere and ionosphere.[186]
Teleports
[edit]SES, and its subsidiary companies has teleports across the world, including:
- Alexandria, Virginia, United States
- Betzdorf, Luxembourg
- Bristow, Virginia, United States
- Budapest, Hungary
- Emek HaEla, Israel
- Hawley, Pennsylvania, United States
- Herzliya, Israel
- Manassas, Virginia, United States
- Munich, Germany
- Re'em, Israel
- South Mountain, California, United States
- Sunset Beach (Oahu), Hawaii, United States
- Tel Aviv, Israel
- Unterföhring, Germany,
- Woodbine, Maryland, United States
- Douglas, Isle of Man, United Kingdom[187]
SES Space & Defense (previously SES Government Solutions) operates Earth stations at the following United States Government locations:
See also
[edit]- Astra satellite family
- HD+
- O3b
- O3b mPOWER
- Companies now merged into SES
References
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- ^ Henry, Caleb (7 August 2020). "SES taps Thales Alenia Space for final two C-band replacement satellites". SpaceNews. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Launches SES. Accessed 26 November 2024
- ^ U.S. Air Force, SAIC, SES, and Orbital launch Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload Sensor infrared staring system aboard SES-2 satellite Military & Aerospace Electronics 24 September 2011. Accessed 28 April 2018
- ^ ASTRA 5B's mission SES website. Accessed 28 April 2018
- ^ SES-5 GEO Satellite Ensures EGNOS Services for the Long Term European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency 4 September 2015. Accessed 28 April 2018
- ^ New WAAS GEO Satellite Launch Federal Aviation Administration SatNavNews newsletter Spring 2017. Accessed 28 April 2018 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ GOLD NASA mission website. Accessed 28 April 2018 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ SES opens Isle of Man teleport Broadband TV News. 25 September 2018. Accessed 28 January 2019
External links
[edit]- Official website
- SES fleet information and map
- SpaceX Falcon 9 SES-9 Mission Briefing, Martin Halliwell, chief technology officer, 23 February 2016. Includes strategic and technical outlook.
- CAC Mid 60
- SES (company)
- Telecommunications companies of Luxembourg
- Direct broadcast satellite services
- Betzdorf, Luxembourg
- Telecommunications companies established in 2001
- Communications satellite operators
- 2001 establishments in Luxembourg
- Multinational companies headquartered in Luxembourg
- Companies listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange
- Companies listed on Euronext Paris
- Companies in the LuxX Index
- Companies in the S&P Europe 350 Dividend Aristocrats