SES
SES is a Luxembourg-based satellite communications operator providing video distribution, data connectivity and managed network services through geostationary and medium Earth orbit satellite systems.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
SES S.A. is a Luxembourg-based satellite communications company serving broadcasters, content owners, internet and telecommunications providers, mobile and fixed network operators, governments and institutional customers. The company operates a multi-orbit satellite network combining geostationary orbit (GEO) spacecraft with medium Earth orbit (MEO) systems. Its fleet has included more than 70 satellites and major satellite families and platforms such as Astra, SES, AMC, NSS, O3b and O3b mPOWER. The business began in 1985 as Société Européenne des Satellites, established with the support of the Luxembourg government. SES became Europe's first private satellite operator when it launched Astra 1A in December 1988 to the 19.2° East orbital position. Astra rapidly built a large direct-to-home and cable television audience, particularly in Germany and later across the United Kingdom, Ireland and other European markets. Its practice of placing several spacecraft at the same orbital position created a resilient satellite neighbourhood with expanded channel capacity and backup capability. During the late 1990s and 2000s, SES expanded beyond European television distribution. It acquired or invested in satellite operators and service companies in North America, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, while adding enterprise connectivity, government communications, broadband, satellite mobility and technical services. The acquisition of GE Americom in 2001 created a substantial North American presence and led to the creation of SES Global, which coordinated SES Astra and SES Americom. The company later consolidated its international operations and adopted SES as its principal single brand. SES also developed a significant MEO business through its investment in O3b Networks. The O3b system was designed to deliver lower-latency, fibre-like connectivity to regions with limited terrestrial infrastructure. SES ultimately acquired full control of O3b, which became the foundation for the O3b mPOWER MEO service. The company has also participated in joint ventures and public-interest initiatives, including YahLive for direct-to-home television in the Middle East and Satmed, an eHealth connectivity platform for remote and developing communities. Its video business remains associated with the Astra fleet and satellite capacity used for free-to-air, pay-TV, ultra-high-definition television, contribution feeds and direct-to-cable distribution. Its network services business supplies connectivity to telecom operators, cloud and internet providers, maritime and aviation users, enterprises and public-sector customers. Government and institutional capabilities include secure and resilient communications, with GovSat-1 developed jointly with the Luxembourg government. In April 2024, SES announced an agreement to acquire Intelsat, another major satellite services provider. The transaction was intended to create a more competitive multi-orbit operator with broader assets, customers and geographic reach. Regulatory approvals were obtained from the United Kingdom in May 2025, the European Commission in June 2025 and the United States Federal Communications Commission in July 2025. SES completed the acquisition of Intelsat on 17 July 2025. SES therefore entered its current phase as an expanded multi-orbit satellite communications group, combining legacy GEO infrastructure with MEO connectivity and a broader portfolio of managed communications services.
History
SES was created in Luxembourg in 1985 as Société Européenne des Satellites, with government support and the objective of establishing a private European satellite operator. Its first satellite, Astra 1A, reached orbit in December 1988 and began service from 19.2° East. Early customers included major European broadcasters such as Sky TV, Pro7, Sat.1 and RTL. The Astra system expanded rapidly through direct-to-home and cable distribution, especially after Germany liberalized satellite-dish installation in 1991. SES pioneered the use of satellite co-location, placing multiple spacecraft at a common orbital position so that receiving antennas could access a larger channel portfolio while benefiting from redundancy. By 1990, Astra programming reached approximately 14 million cable and direct-to-home viewers. SES introduced digital satellite transmission with Canal+ in 1996 and opened a major United Kingdom and Ireland orbital position at 28.2° East with Astra 2A in 1998. SES became publicly traded in Luxembourg in 1998 and later added a Paris listing. From 1999 onward, the company pursued international expansion and diversified from television into telecommunications, broadband, government services and professional satellite capacity. It invested in AsiaSat, Nordic Satellite AB, Star One and Nahuelsat, and acquired GE Americom in 2001. That transaction resulted in SES Global, coordinating SES Astra and SES Americom, and made SES one of the world's largest satellite operators. Further acquisitions and investments added positions in Canada, Mexico, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. SES acquired New Skies Satellites in 2006 and later organized its international business as SES World Skies. The company broadened its service portfolio through acquisitions including Digital Playout Centre, later known as SES Platform Services and MX1, and ND SatCom, a German provider of government communications. SES also formed YahLive with Yahsat in 2009 to commercialize television capacity in the Middle East, North Africa and Western Asia. In the same period, it invested in O3b Networks, whose MEO constellation was designed to provide high-throughput, lower-latency connectivity to underserved regions. SES increased its ownership and ultimately acquired O3b outright in 2016. During the 2010s, SES continued deploying satellites for television, broadband, mobility and regional connectivity. Important spacecraft included SES-4, SES-5, SES-6, SES-8, SES-9, SES-10, Astra 2F, Astra 2E, Astra 2G and Astra 5B. SES-8 was launched by SpaceX in 2013, while SES-10 was launched in 2017 on a reused Falcon 9 first stage. The company also supported high-definition and ultra-high-definition television distribution and developed new government and humanitarian connectivity capabilities. SES reorganized its operating activities around the single SES brand in 2011. Romain Bausch, who had led the company since 1995, left the chief executive role in 2014 and was succeeded by Karim Michel Sabbagh. SES continued to work with the Luxembourg government on Satmed, an eHealth platform designed to connect medical and public-health users in remote areas, and jointly developed GovSat-1 for secure governmental and military communications. The company's current strategic direction is based on multi-orbit services. GEO spacecraft remain important for wide-area video distribution and high-capacity connectivity, while O3b and O3b mPOWER provide MEO connectivity with lower latency. In 2024 SES announced its intention to acquire Intelsat. The transaction received UK, European Commission and US regulatory approvals in 2025 and closed on 17 July 2025. The combination expanded SES's satellite assets, customer base and service footprint, positioning the company as a larger integrated provider of video, data, mobility and government communications.
- 2025
Intelsat acquisition closes
[1]SES completes its acquisition of Intelsat on 17 July following international regulatory approvals.
- 2017
SES-10 launches on a reused Falcon 9 booster
[1]The launch becomes a notable commercial milestone for reusable orbital launch vehicles.
- 2016
SES completes acquisition of O3b Networks
[1]SES acquires full control of O3b, strengthening its MEO connectivity platform.
- 2011
Operating businesses are unified under SES
[1]SES streamlines its organization and adopts a single principal operating brand.
- 2009
SES invests in O3b Networks
[1]SES backs the development of an MEO constellation intended to deliver high-speed, lower-latency connectivity to emerging markets.
- 2001
GE Americom acquisition creates SES Global
[1]The acquisition establishes a major North American operating presence and leads to the SES Global structure.
- 1998
SES becomes publicly traded
[1]The company lists on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange under the symbol SESG and expands Astra service to the United Kingdom and Ireland.
- 1988
Astra 1A enters service
[1]SES launches its first satellite, Astra 1A, to 19.2° East, beginning its European direct-to-home television business.
- 1985
SES is founded in Luxembourg
[1]Société Européenne des Satellites is established with support from the Luxembourg government.
Products and positioning
A global multi-orbit satellite communications operator combining GEO video and connectivity infrastructure with lower-latency MEO networks for media, telecommunications, enterprise, mobility and government customers.
Satellite television and video distribution · 1988
Astra
Astra is SES's best-known European satellite platform. Its spacecraft distribute free-to-air and pay-TV channels, radio, contribution feeds and other video services to broadcasters, cable networks and direct-to-home households. The 19.2° East position became a major European television neighborhood, while the 28.2° East position serves the United Kingdom and Ireland. The Astra fleet has also supported broadband and ultra-high-definition television applications.
Medium Earth orbit connectivity · 2013
O3b and O3b mPOWER
O3b is SES's MEO connectivity platform, designed to provide higher throughput and lower latency than traditional GEO-only satellite links. It targets telecom operators, mobile backhaul users, cloud and internet providers, governments, enterprises and communities that lack dependable terrestrial infrastructure. O3b mPOWER extends the platform with a newer, more flexible MEO architecture intended for scalable managed connectivity.
Government and military communications · 2018
GovSat-1
GovSat-1 is a government communications satellite jointly developed by SES and the Luxembourg government. It provides secure and resilient communications capacity for governmental and military users across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region using X-band and Ka-band capabilities.
Media and digital services · 2016
MX1
MX1 originated from the combination of SES Platform Services and RR Media. It provides media processing, playout, distribution and digital delivery services for broadcasters and content owners. The business forms part of SES's effort to provide managed media services in addition to satellite capacity.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Satmed
Africa · Asia · Developing regions
SES TechCom worked with the Luxembourg government and humanitarian organizations to develop Satmed, a satellite-supported eHealth platform for remote and underserved communities.
Outcome. The Luxembourg government extended the program's support and development contract in 2017 through 2020.
Brand decisions
2024
Announce acquisition of IntelsatM&ABackground
SES sought greater scale, a broader satellite fleet and stronger multi-orbit competitiveness in a changing communications market.
Action taken
SES announced an agreement to acquire satellite services provider Intelsat.
Aftermath
The transaction received UK, European Commission and US approvals in 2025 and closed on 17 July 2025.
2011
Unify the operating brandStrategyBackground
SES operated through multiple regional and historical brands, including SES Astra and SES World Skies.
Action taken
The company reorganized its operations under one management structure and the principal SES brand.
Aftermath
The reorganization presented SES as a unified global satellite communications provider.
2009
Invest in O3b NetworksStrategyBackground
SES identified demand for broadband connectivity with lower latency than conventional geostationary satellite services in regions with limited terrestrial infrastructure.
Action taken
SES invested in O3b Networks and supported the development of its MEO constellation.
Aftermath
SES later acquired full control of O3b and developed the O3b mPOWER business.
2001
Acquire GE Americom and form SES GlobalM&ABackground
SES sought to expand beyond its European Astra base and establish a meaningful position in North American satellite services.
Action taken
SES acquired GE Americom and organized its activities through SES Global, with SES Astra and SES Americom as operating entities.
Aftermath
The transaction made SES one of the world's largest satellite operators and accelerated its international diversification.
Recent events
Air Astana launches high-speed satellite internet on first flight[2]
Reported:
Air Astana operated Kazakhstan’s first flight equipped with high-speed satellite internet, connecting Almaty and Tashkent. The Wi-Fi system was installed on an Airbus A321LR in cooperation with satellite communications provider SES.
Honda and SES signed a battery development agreement[3]
Reported:
Honda and SES signed a joint development agreement for lithium-metal rechargeable batteries.
SES announces HD+ IP streaming service for Germany[4]
Reported:
SES announced HD+ IP, an internet-based streaming service in Germany offering 50 HD channels and content libraries. The service was scheduled to launch in December.
- Unconfirmed
SES releases Apollo lithium-metal battery[5]
SES released its Apollo lithium-metal battery, with a stated capacity of 107 Ah.
- Unconfirmed
SES announces plans for Shanghai factory[5]
SES announced that it was building a new 30,000-square-meter factory in Shanghai Jiading, planned for completion in 2023 with capacity of 1 GWh.
SES and the University of Luxembourg expand partnership with joint lab[6]
Reported:
SES announced an expansion of its partnership with the University of Luxembourg's SnT, including plans to create a joint lab to explore high-throughput satellite systems in next-generation networks, quantum communications and cybersecurity.
SES and SnT create a joint research laboratory[7]
Reported:
Satellite operator SES and the University of Luxembourg's Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust are creating a joint research laboratory focused on next-generation network technology.
- Unconfirmed
Sirius TV partners with SES to distribute channels in Malaysia[8]
Reported:
Sirius TV signed a multi-year contract with SES to deliver a new satellite TV channel bouquet across Malaysia.
Sirius TV launches Sirius Basic subscription package[8]
Reported:
Sirius TV launched its Sirius Basic subscription package with 13 initial channels, five of them in HD, in Malaysia.
Swire Energy Services announces ALL NRG rebrand to SES[9]
Reported:
Swire Energy Services said ALL NRG would be rebranded to SES, with the change set to roll out across the organisation from 3 August 2021.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources17 sources
- 1SES (company)en.wikipedia.org
- 2Air Astana首航启用高速卫星互联网astanatimes.com
- 3本田与SES签署电池共同开发协议163.com
- 4SES宣布在德国推出HD+ IP流媒体服务finanznachrichten.de
- 5SES发布Apollo锂金属电池guba.eastmoney.com
- 6SES与卢森堡大学扩大合作并设立联合实验室satellitetoday.com
- 7SES与SnT设立联合研究实验室delano.lu
- 8Sirius TV与SES合作在马来西亚分发频道finanznachrichten.de
- 9Swire Energy Services 宣布将 ALL NRG 更名为 SESenergyglobal.com
- 10SES与Amartus宣布合作推进O3b mPOWER自动化satellitetoday.com
- 11SES选定Gilat和ST Engineering iDirect为O3b mPOWER提供调制解调器平台finanznachrichten.de
- 12SES向SpaceX追加订购两次猎鹰9号发射服务swordstoday.ie
- 13SES选择ULA发射两颗C波段卫星finanznachrichten.de
- 14SES推出Fight COVID-19卫星频道satellitetoday.com
- 15SES 与卢森堡大学签署为期六年的研究合作协议satelliteprome.com
- 16SES推出免费电视新冠疫情信息频道appablog.wordpress.com
- 17Visual Data Media Services 收购 MX1 UKbroadcastnow.co.uk
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/ses · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled