New subject: [Skunkworks] SES WORLD SKIES' NSS-12 Satellite Successfully Launched

5 Nov 2009

      Press Releases

29.10.2009

*SES WORLD SKIES’ NSS-12 Satellite Successfully Launched On-Board Ariane 5 *

*41st satellite in SES fleet marks second successful Ariane 5 launch for SES
in 2009*

Kourou, French Guiana – October 29th, 2009 - SES WORLD SKIES, an SES company
(Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), announces that the
NSS-12 satellite successfully roared into space on-board an Ariane 5 ECA
booster from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on October 29
at 5:00 p.m. local time (8:00 p.m. GMT). Approximately 27 minutes after
lift-off the spacecraft separated from the Ariane 5 upper stage and was
placed into geostationary transfer orbit. Initial signals from NSS-12 were
received at a control station in Uralla, Australia at 8:32 p.m. GMT.

NSS-12 was manufactured by Space Systems/Loral, with launch services
on-board Ariane 5 provided by Arianespace. The spacecraft, procured by SES
Satellite Leasing Limited in the Isle of Man, is poised to be the 41th
satellite in SES’ global fleet.

   Rob Bednarek, President and CEO of SES WORLD SKIES, stated: “The flawless
launch of NSS-12 allows us to ensure seamless continuity for a variety of
customers at the key orbital position of 57 degrees East and considerably
increases our capacity on-orbit. Our thanks for a mission well accomplished
go to the skilled engineering and operations teams of Arianespace, Space
Systems/Loral and SES ENGINEERING. After NSS-9 in February, this is the
second successful Ariane 5 launch of an SES satellite in 2009.”

   “NSS-12 will be the 59th Space Systems/Loral satellite now orbiting the
earth,” said John Celli, President and Chief Operating Officer of Space
Systems/Loral.  “Congratulations to SES WORLD SKIES and Arianespace for
another flawless launch.  Every completed satellite and successful launch is
an exciting achievement and a testament to our companies’ ability to
collaborate as a team.”

   Immediately following the successful launch of NSS-12, Jean-Yves Le Gall,
Chairman & CEO of Arianespace, said: “Arianespace is especially proud of
carrying out this 32nd successful launch for the SES group, one of the
world’s leading satellite operators. Since the launch of their first
satellite in 1988, we have developed an exceptional relationship with SES,
by offering services and solutions custom-tailored to their needs. I would
like to personally thank SES for their long-standing confidence, and for
having once again chosen Arianespace, the global benchmark in satellite
launch services.”

*   About NSS-12*

   The powerful, state-of-the-art NSS-12 satellite will provide
comprehensive and robust coverage of some of the world’s fastest-growing
markets. The spacecraft replaces NSS-703 at 57 degrees East and covers
virtually the entire Eastern Hemisphere, bringing increased capacity and
transmission power to a key orbital location at the crossroads of Europe,
the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia. NSS-12 features 40 C-band
transponders and 48 Ku-band transponders with DTH power levels, as well as
elaborate beam interconnectivity and C-/Ku-band cross-strapping. The
spacecraft will deliver DTH power and performance through four regional
Ku-band spot beams over the Middle East and Europe, Central and South Asia
and, for the first time, East Africa. The satellite’s high-capacity,
high-power C-band hemispheric beams – one covering Europe, Africa (including
Mauritius) and the Middle East, and the other stretching across Asia to
Australia – have been augmented by a powerful C-band global beam spanning
from the UK to the Far East. The satellite reaches an estimated two-thirds
of the world’s population.

*About SES WORLD SKIES*

SES WORLD SKIES is the new global division of SES, created through the
combination of the former SES NEW SKIES and SES AMERICOM. The company
operates a fleet of 25 satellites - part of the 40 spacecraft of the SES
group - delivering services as diverse as television distribution and
broadcast, internet access, data transmission and business and government
communications to customers worldwide. SES WORLD SKIES currently has five
additional satellites under construction. The company’s unique
customer-focused approach allows it to offer the best satellite solutions
for a host of business and government requirements, with a view toward
helping customers meet their short-term challenges and realize their
longer-term goals. SES WORLD SKIES comprises a world-class team of customer
care and technical professionals located in Princeton (NJ), The Hague,
Washington D.C., Singapore, Beijing, London, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Sydney,
Accra and Johannesburg. Visit www.ses.com for more information.

*About SES*

SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) wholly owns the
market-leading satellite operators SES ASTRA and SES WORLD SKIES, 90% of SES
SIRIUS in Europe, and strategic participations in Ciel in Canada and
QuetzSat in Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite communications
solutions via a global fleet of 40 satellites in 26 orbital locations. For
further information: www.ses.com <http://www.ses.com>

<Yves.Feltes@ses-newskies.com>

SES WORLD SKIES' NSS-12 Satellite Successfully Launched

Space Engineering NOC

Peter Karunyu

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