Artist's rendition of an SES satellite Source: NASA Goddard's Conceptual Image Lab/Chris Meaney Artist's rendition of an SES satellite Source: NASA Goddard's Conceptual Image Lab/Chris Meaney Close

SES continues to order satellites to maintain both its geosynchronous fleet as well as the fleet of satellites orbiting in medium Earth orbit (MEO) that the company acquired along with O3b in 2016.

SES ordered three geosynchronous satellites in both 2014 and 2015, with another ordered in 2016. These satellites will replace aging in-orbit spacecraft, while also creating additional capacity. They will be used to provide video broadcasting, broadband data services, in-air Internet services, and government services. SES-17, ordered in 2016, will provide capacity to Thales for in-air broadband services.

SES also ordered eight O3b satellites in 2015 and another seven in 2017. The seven ordered in 2017 will be higher power spacecraft that will provide more bandwidth for customers.

The three geosynchronous satellites ordered in 2015 demonstrate SES's strong relationship with government customers. Both SES-14 and SES-15 will host payloads for the U.S. government, while SES-16 is a joint purchase between SES and the Luxembourg government. These agreements will improve revenue generation and cash flow for the satellite operator.

While SES eschewed new technology at one time, the company now embraces. SES was an early customer of SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle, and its sole customer on the March 30, 2017 launch aboard the first reused Falcon 9. The company is also working with OHB AG and the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop an all-electric propulsion satellite under the Electra program. SES also plans to award a contract to either Orbital ATK or Maxar Technologies to extend the life of one of its in-orbit satellites, a technique both companies are experimenting with.

The O3b purchase in 2016 is the most obvious example of SES' embrace of new technology. SES will use the new MEO satellites in O3b's network to expand its presence in the satellite broadband market. SES's allocation of investment capital is changing. The company will purchase fewer large geosynchronous satellites going forward as it shifts its focus to its O3b network. SES will also need fewer satellites due to the life extension of current satellites. The majority of satellites delivered to SES during the forecast period will be intended for MEO. Still, SES has a need to replace aging in-orbit geosynchronous satellites, meaning deliveries will continue at a steady pace through the forecast period.

Artist's rendition of an AEHF satellite Source: Northrop Grumman Space Technology Artist's rendition of an AEHF satellite Source: Northrop Grumman Space Technology Close

For the 39 days of Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC) testing, AEHF-5 was subjected to extreme cold and heat in zero atmosphere, to simulate its upcoming on-orbit life. TVAC is a part of a battery of tests that ensure a satellite will arrive in space functionally sound and ready to operate through the extreme temperature changes of space.

Following the TVAC test series, AEHF-5 completed acoustic testing, where the satellite was subjected to high intensity, low frequency sound waves that simulated the vibrations generated by a rocket propelling its payload from zero to over 17,500 miles per hour in under eight minutes.

After years of development, the AEHF program is in its procurement phase. The U.S. Air Force assumed control of the third spacecraft in April 2014. Although the fourth AEHF satellite was to launch in 2017, delivery to orbit was delayed until 2018 so technicians could modify a faulty power regulator. All six spacecraft are scheduled to be in orbit by 2019.

Artist's rendition of Telesat Phase 1 LEO satellite Source: SSTL Artist's rendition of Telesat Phase 1 LEO satellite Source: SSTL Close

Telesat's Phase 1 LEO satellite, also known as LEO Vantage 1, lifted off aboard an Indian PSLV on January 12, 2018 along with other small satellites. Telesat plans to deploy 120 satellites in low Earth orbit by 2021 to provide low-latency, high speed broadband services.

Telesat has already signed agreements with other companies in the satellite industry - including Global Eagle Entertainment, OmniAccess and Optus Satellite - to collaborate in live, over-the-air trials of Telesat Phase 1 LEO. Telesat expects other companies to join in the testing as well.

Built by SSTL based on its SSTL-42 platform the Phase 1 LEO satellite had a launch mass of 168 kilograms. The company's Phase 1 testing will demonstrate key features of the LEO design and by working with other companies, Telesat be able to match system performance with projected requirements of customers. Testing will also enable partners to assess what role Telesat's constellation could play in their next-generation broadband networks.

Telesat is one of a number of incumbent geosynchronous satellite operators investing in LEO satellites. Others include Intelsat, SKY Perfect JSAT, and most recently Eutelsat. With these investments, companies are betting that they can better serve high demand broadband customers by positioning satellites closer to Earth, minimizing latency issues that have caused problems with geosynchronous satellites orbiting farther away.

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