SES has ordered a digital satellite with both Ku-band and C-band frequencies to replace NSS-12 at 57 degrees East, one of its longest held and most valuable orbital positions.
Manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), SES-26 will provide content delivery and connectivity services to broadcasters, media companies, telco operators, internet service providers and governmental organisations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. It will also support the Ethiosat platform, which serves 10 million TV households in Ethiopia.
SES notes that the order forms part of a three-satellite commitment to Thales Alenia Space and incorporates two satellites that will be deployed at SES’s first and most important orbital location, 19.2 degrees East from which SES serves 118 million TV households across Europe.
Commenting on the development, Steve Collar, CEO of SES, said: “For over 20 years, satellites at 57 degrees East have been at the centrepiece of our connectivity network bridging Europe to Africa, the Middle East and Asia. From broadcasting video content across Europe and Africa to delivering connectivity services for aviation, maritime and government, SES-26 underlines our commitment to the growth of our business and to our customers.
“We are delighted to work with our long-term partner Thales Alenia Space to push the boundaries of next-generation satellite capabilities and deliver the flexible innovation that enables us to stay ahead of our customers’ evolving needs”.
Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, added: “We are honoured that SES has renewed its confidence in Thales Alenia Space and our Space Inspire software-defined solution. This new contract follows the recent order to build Astra 1P and Astra 1Q and strengthens the strong partnership between SES and Thales Alenia Space. Once again, I’m happy to share this new success with the French and European space agencies – CNES and ESA – who contributed to making it possible thanks to their support”.
