|
SES S.A. (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), has commenced its countdown to the AMC-21 launch scheduled for August 14th from Kourou, French Guiana.
The satellite, procured by SES’s leasing company, SES Satellite Leasing Limited in the Isle of Man, will operate from the 125 degrees West orbital position after it is launched by Arianespace.
Thales Alenia Space served as the prime contractor and communications payload supplier of the Star-2 spacecraft that was designed, built, integrated and tested by Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB).
AMC-21 was designed and built for advanced telecommunications, mobile applications and TV broadcasting with coverage of the 50 U.S. states, as well as Southern Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Featuring 24 active 36 MHz transponders, the 2500 kg spacecraft has a 15-year design life and will initiate Ku-band services at 125 degrees West. AMC-21 will be marketed by SES AMERICOM.
“We are pleased that the procurement and preparation of AMC-21 for launch has gone so smoothly. The SES, Thales, Orbital and Ariane teams have been focused on the execution of their combined launch mission campaigns so that AMC-21 will be ready for launch on August 14th,” said Martin Halliwell, President of SES ENGINEERING, which oversees satellite procurement and operations for SES. “AMC-21 is an important spacecraft that will allow us to offer Ku-band services from a totally new orbital position, and we have a number of customers ready to use the bandwidth as soon as the satellite is declared ‘good to go’ in early fall.”
“Thales Alenia Space is delighted with the completion of the AMC-21 satellite and the teamwork demonstrated in preparing the spacecraft for its upcoming launch,” said Blaise Jaeger, Executive Vice President Telecommunication of Thales Alenia Space. “This culminated in a very strong program in conjunction with Orbital Sciences. We are looking forward to further success as the teams complete the AMC-21 launch preparations over the next few days.”
About Thales Alenia Space
European leader in satellite systems and a major player in orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space, is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%). Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio embody the two groups’ “Space Alliance”. Thales Alenia Space sets the global standard in solutions for space telecoms, radar and optical Earth observation, defence and security, navigation and science. The company has a total of 7,200 employees and 11 industrial sites, with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium. About Orbital
Orbital develops and manufactures small rockets and space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers. The company’s primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low Earth-orbit, geosynchronous Earth-orbit and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense missions; human-rated space systems for Earth-orbit, lunar and other missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also provides satellite subsystems and space-related technical services to government agencies and laboratories.
About Arianespace
Arianespace is the world’s leading launch Service & Solutions company, delivering innovative services and solutions to its customers for more than 25 years. Backed by 23 shareholders, and by the European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an unrivalled launcher family, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned for their culture of excellence. Arianespace has launched 260 satellites since being founded, including more than 60% of the commercial satellites now in service worldwide. Today, the company has a steady order backlog of more than 20 Ariane 5 missions and nearly 10 Soyuz flights, which represents more than three years of launch activity.
About SES
SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) wholly owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in North America and SES NEW SKIES which provides global coverage and connectivity. The company also holds 90% of SES SIRIUS in Europe as well as strategic participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 38 satellites in 25 orbital positions around the globe. |
Aerospace Industry and Business News