NEWTOWN, Conn. - SES continues to focus on growing its satellite services business around the world. In order to do this, the company is purchasing new satellites as well as acquiring the rights to operate in new regions.
SES ordered three satellites in both 2014 and 2015. These satellites will both replace aging in-orbit spacecraft and provide additional capacity. They will be used to provide video broadcasting, broadband data services, in-air Internet services, and government services.
All three new satellites demonstrate SES' strong relationship with government customers. Both SES-14 and SES-15 will host payloads for the U.S. government while SES-16 was a joint purchase between SES and the Luxembourg government. These agreements will improve revenue generation and cash flow for the satellite operator.
In addition to new satellites, SES also is looking to expand its global reach. For example, the company won the rights to two orbital slots over Brazil in a May 2014 auction. The new orbital slots will enable SES to operate additional satellites over South America. For now, SES's NSS-806 will operate over the region until newer satellites can be deployed there.
At one time, SES was known as a conservative company when it came to new technology; however, the company now appears to have embraced it. SES was an early customer of Space Exploration Technologies' Falcon-9 launch vehicle. The company is also working with OHB AG and ESA to develop an all-electric propulsion satellite under the Electra program.
In addition to meeting growing demand, SES will need to continue to replace aging satellites throughout the next decade and beyond. Operating a fleet of over 40 satellites means that SES continually has satellites that reach the end of their useful lifespans.