SES and SpaceX announce contract for three satellite launches

Sept. 17, 2012 - PRLog -- SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) have announced an agreement to launch three additional SES satellites on SpaceX's Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy rockets.

This launch agreement - concluded through SES' affiliate company SES-SL - builds on the successful SpaceX-SES partnership that began in March 2011 with the signing of the agreement for SES-8, due for launch in 2013. All four Falcon missions will support the enhancement of SES' global fleet of satellites.

Romain Bausch, President and CEO of SES, stated: "SES was the first leading commercial satellite operator to place a launch contract with SpaceX and we eagerly await the launch of SES-8 in 2013. This new contract is testimony to our belief in SpaceX's product and technical abilities. It also confirms SES' priority for diversification of launch service providers and for securing timely access to space. We look forward to a long-term relationship with SpaceX."

"We're very pleased to add these three additional launches to our agreement with SES," said Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX. "It's a strong endorsement of our launch capabilities and continues an outstanding partnership between our companies."

The first SES/SpaceX mission under the contract is scheduled for 2015.

About SES:
SES is a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of 51 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, including the capacity to broadcast hybrid TV (http://www.ses.com/4334968/hybrid ) and 3DTV (http://www.ses.com/4334942/3dtv ) content, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide. Satellite footprint maps (http://www.ses.com/fleet-coverage ) can be found on the SES website.

SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the broadcasting industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.

About SpaceX:
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world's most advanced rockets and spacecraft. With a diverse manifest of more than 40 launches to resupply the space station and deliver commercial and government satellites to orbit, SpaceX is the world's fastest growing launch services provider. In 2012, SpaceX made history when its Dragon spacecraft became the first commercial vehicle to successfully attach to the International Space Station – a feat previously achieved by only four governments.

PR Contact:
Markus Payer
Market Communication & PR
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L-6815 Betzdorf 
Luxembourg
+352 710 725 500
www.ses.com