GPS World

Tag: SES

  • SES extends EGNOS GEO-1 satellite service to power precise navigation across Europe

    SES extends EGNOS GEO-1 satellite service to power precise navigation across Europe

    The agreement ensures Europe’s satellite-based augmentation continues enhancing navigation for aviation and other critical users and lowering emissions.

    SES, a space solutions company, and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) have announced an extension of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) GEO-1 satellite service agreement through 2030, with an option to extend until 2032, helping maintain high-precision navigation services for aviation and other critical users across Europe.

    By improving the accuracy and integrity of satellite positioning signals, EGNOS supports aircraft in landing in low-visibility conditions, as well as planning more efficient routes, reducing fuel burn and CO₂ emissions.

    At the core of the EGNOS service is Europe’s regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) that improves the accuracy and reliability of GNSS signals, such as GPS. Beyond aviation, EGNOS supports maritime navigation and precision-driven agriculture, contributing to efficient operations and sustainability by reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

    Under the extended GEO-1 contract, SES will continue operating an EGNOS-hosted payload on its SES-5 satellite, as well as the ground segment from its facilities in Europe.

    “This extension ensures a robust EGNOS space segment, ready for the transition towards its next version and the development of new services, while safeguarding high-precision navigation for aviation and other critical users across Europe,” said Rodrigo da Costa, EUSPA executive director.

    “EGNOS is a cornerstone of Europe’s aviation and broader navigation applications. The agreement underscores SES’ and EUSPA’s joint commitment to advancing satellite-based services that enable secure, reliable, and sustainable navigation solutions,” said Philippe Glaesener, senior vice president, Global Government at SES. “Thanks to the service, millions of users and operators will benefit from efficient and more reliable air transportation services across all of Europe. This commitment reflects our broader mission of delivering resilient satellite solutions for critical infrastructures.”

  • SES completes acquisition of Intelsat

    SES completes acquisition of Intelsat

    New multi-orbit space company has network of 120 GEO+MEO satellites and access to LEO constellations.

    SES, a space solutions company, has completed its highly value accretive acquisition of Intelsat, creating a strengthened global satellite operator with an expanded fleet of 120 satellites across two orbits. The newly combined company will leverage its skilled teams with deep vertical expertise to deliver integrated multi-orbit, multi-band satellite and connectivity solutions to businesses and governments around the world, creating a stronger multi-orbit operator with ~60% of revenue in high-growth segments.

    With a network of approximately 90 geostationary (GEO), nearly 30 medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, strategic access to low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites, and an extensive ground network, SES can now deliver connectivity solutions utilizing complementary spectrum bands including C-, Ku-, Ka-, Military Ka-, X-band and Ultra High Frequency. The expanded capabilities of the combined company will enable it to deliver premium-quality services and tailored solutions to its customers. The company’s assets and networks, once fully integrated, will put SES in a strong competitive position to better serve the evolving needs of its customers including governments, aviation, maritime and media across the globe.

    Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES, talks about the new combined company in the video below.

    The transaction establishes a more robust financial foundation for SES, with pro formacombined revenue of €3.7 billion projected to grow at a low- to mid-single digit CAGR (2024-2028E). The combined company pro forma Adjusted EBITDA of €1.8 billion is expected to grow at mid-single digit CAGR including synergies (2024-2028E), with plans to generate over €1 billion in Adjusted Free Cash Flow by 2027-2028 (pre IRIS2). This stronger financial profile is supported by a combined contract backlog exceeding €8 billion, providing clear visibility into future revenue streams.

    SES plans to maintain disciplined investment in future growth, with annual capital expenditures averaging €600–€650 million from 2025-2028E, excluding the IRIS2 programme. This will enable the company to continuously strengthen its network and explore emerging growthmarkets including Internet of Things (IoT), direct-to-device communications, inter-satellite data relay, space situational awareness, and quantum key distribution. The company’s profitable growth outlook, strong balance sheet metrics and expanded cash flows will support both continued innovation and increased shareholder returns, with the intent to raise the annual base dividend once targeted net leverage of below three times is achieved within 12-18 months after closing.

    By integrating the two organizations, SES expects to deliver synergies with a total net present value of €2.4 billion, representing an annual run rate of approximately €370 million, with 70% of these efficiencies anticipated to be executed within three years after closing. These savings will primarily come from streamlined operations, optimised capacity costs, and procurement efficiencies, along with the strategic integration of satellite fleets and ground infrastructure.

    SES remains headquartered in Luxembourg and is publicly listed on the Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG), while maintaining a significant presence in the United States with its North American main office in McLean, Virginia.

  • SES provides managed services for Galileo navigation system

    SES provides managed services for Galileo navigation system

    From left: Ruy Pinto, chief information officer, deputy chief technology officer of SES; André Bauerhin, COO, Spaceopal; Nicole Robinson, SVP Global Government at SES Networks; Etienne Schneider, Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Economy. (Photo: SES)

    SES will provide a series of services for the Galileo European navigation system under a long-term agreement with Spaceopal, a joint venture between Telespazio and DLR GfR mbH. According to SES, the contract is part of the Galileo Service Operator framework agreement between Spaceopal and the European Global Navigation Satellite System Agency.

    Under the agreement, SES will provide Spaceopal with services to support the maintenance and operations of the Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System. Further, SES will be responsible for in-orbit measurements for the Galileo satellite constellation and provide VSAT managed services to Telespazio for the Galileo Data Dissemination Network.

    “We are delighted to extend our partnership with SES in the framework of the Galileo Service Operator contract with the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency,” said André Bauerhin, COO of Spaceopal. “SES’s previous success with the Galileo project in delivering and managing services for both in-orbit testing and the Galileo Data Dissemination Network has made SES the clear choice for this operational contract.”

    SES also looks forward to the partnership.

    “We are proud that we can continue to draw on the experience that we have accumulated while working on Galileo over the years, and continue to be part of the team in ensuring the reliability of the GNSS system and accommodating its shifting demands in the next decade,” said Nicole Robinson, SVP Global Government at SES Networks.

    Previously, SES has provided infrastructure and services for the Galileo program, as well as ground stations and in-orbit testing during the In-Orbit Validation Phase.

  • Raytheon launches WAAS payload to improve GPS accuracy for air travel

    Raytheon launches WAAS payload to improve GPS accuracy for air travel

    Raytheon Company has launched its GEO 6 satellite payload into orbit for its 12-year mission. It is the latest payload to support the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), which enhances the reliability and accuracy of GPS signals for directing air travel.

    The Raytheon-developed payload is a key element of WAAS, which offers commercial, business and general aviation pilots more direct flight paths, greater runway capability and precision approaches to airports and remote landing sites without dependence on local ground-based landing systems.

    “This latest payload launch is the next step in our journey with the FAA to bolster navigation safety and efficiency for commercial and general aviation,” said Bob Delorge, vice president of transportation and support services for Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services.

    In June 2016, Raytheon launched WAAS GEO 5, which was recently accepted by the FAA for integration into the operational WAAS system. Both WAAS GEO 5 and GEO 6 were launched to replace aging satellites and enhance GPS precision for the FAA. WAAS increases GPS accuracy from 10 meters to approximately two meters and supports nearly all of the national airspace.

    The WAAS GEO 6 payload is hosted on a geostationary satellite, SES-15, owned and operated by SES. The satellite was successfully launched May 17 from Arianespace’s Guiana Space Center in French Guiana aboard a Soyuz launch vehicle.