SES-17 Successfully Launched on Ariane 5
SES announced today that the SES-17 satellite was successfully launched into space onboard an Ariane 5 launcher operated by Arianespace from the Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 11:10 pm local time (02:10 am UTC).
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211023005019/en/
SES-17 Successfully Launched on Ariane 5 (Photo: Business Wire)
The multi-mission Ka-band satellite will provide comprehensive coverage across the Americas, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. From its orbital slot of 67.1 degrees West orbital slot, the very high throughput geostationary (GEO) satellite incorporating cutting-edge technologies is set to deliver the best connectivity experience for SES customers operating in the aeronautical, maritime, enterprise, and government markets.
Built by Thales Alenia Space, SES-17 marks an important milestone in satellite technology as the first Ka-band geostationary satellite to embark a fully digital payload powered the most powerful digital transparent processor (DTP) ever placed in orbit. It will have nearly 200 user beams that can be connected to any other beam at any time. This, combined with the ability to dynamically change the power and frequency allocation of any beam, means that SES-17 can adapt to changing customer needs in real-time.
It is also the first GEO satellite to use Adaptive Resource Control (ARC), an industry-first software system that leverages the full flexibility of totally digital payloads to autonomously adapt space and ground resources on the fly to meet customer needs.
Equipped with an all-electric propulsion system, the satellite will reach orbit as of mid-2022. When operational, anchor customer Thales InFlyt Experience will use SES-17’s connectivity to power its next-generation aviation connectivity solution, FlytLIVE. Thales InFlyt Experience will ensure both crew and passengers will have an always-on high-speed Wi-Fi connection at peak times and in high-traffic routes while optimising bandwidth.
“Today’s launch of SES-17 is an exciting milestone for our FlytLIVE Connectivity Solution currently flying within the United States,” said Craig Olson, Vice President at Thales InFlyt Experience. “The network and satellite architecture was specifically developed for the unique connectivity requirements of our commercial aviation customers and their passengers. With SES-17, FlytLIVE will provide full coverage for the entire Americas and North Atlantic Corridor delivering an unmatched connectivity experience in the air.”
“We are immensely excited to have SES-17 join our GEO fleet and medium earth orbit (MEO) constellation. SES-17 is the fruit of a successful collaboration between the Thales Group, Thales Alenia Space and SES, and will enable us to address the exponential connectivity demands in aviation and maritime, and to accelerate digital inclusion initiatives across the Americas,” said Steve Collar, CEO of SES. “Thanks to Arianespace, SES-17 is now on its way to orbit. We are looking forward to SES customers being able to leverage the high throughput, global reach and low-latency of SES’s multi-orbit, interoperable Ka-band satellite network comprising SES-17 and our upcoming O3b mPOWER constellation.”
“What a launch – SES-17 has mobilised all Thales Alenia Space experts – from the innovative design of the satellite itself to the last combined operations – and is now on its way to orbit. Fully-digital and highly-innovative, SES-17 will benefit from all the state-of-art technologies we have developed to fulfil the market’s connectivity needs,” said Herve Derrey CEO of Thales Alenia Space.
Follow us on:
Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram
Read our Blogs >
Visit the Media Gallery >
About SES
SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world’s only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world’s leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES’s video network carries over 8,650 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 361 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com.
About Thales Alenia Space
Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately 1.85 billion euros in 2020 and has around 7,700 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US.
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies, investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum computing – to build a confident future crucial for the development of our societies. The Group provides its customers – businesses, organisations and governments – in the defense, aeronautics, space, transport, and digital identity and security domains with solutions, services and products that help them fulfil their critical role, consideration for the individual being the driving force behind all decisions.
Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2020 the Group generated sales of €17 billion.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211023005019/en/
Contact information
SES
Suzanne Ong
External Communications
Tel. +352 710 725 500
suzanne.ong@ses.com
Thales Alenia Space
Sandrine Bielecki
Tel.: +33 (0)4 92 92 70 94
sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com
Catherine des Arcis
Tel.: +33 (0)6 78 64 63 97
catherine.des-arcis@thalesaleniaspace.com
Thales Defence & Civil Aerospace
Maria Mellouli
+33 (0) 6 89 73 25 47
maria.mellouli@thalesgroup.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Stronghold’s SHx Token Lists on Uphold27.11.2025 17:00:00 EET | Press release
Stronghold announced that its SHx token is now available for retail users to trade on Uphold, the global multi-asset digital money platform known for its transparency, regulatory alignment, and seamless support for assets across both the Stellar and Ethereum networks. The listing marks a major milestone for SHx, expanding access for users and businesses who rely on Stronghold’s token for payments, settlements, and governance participation. "Uphold is one of the only platforms that provides seamless support for both Stellar and Ethereum-based tokens, making it a perfect fit for SHx as we grow our multi-chain ecosystem. This listing was championed by our community, and we’re thrilled to deliver on a request that so many SHx holders have been asking for." — Tammy Camp, CEO & Co-Founder, Stronghold SHx is Stronghold’s native utility token, powering interoperable payments, DeFi-based financing, and community governance. With over 215,000 global community members and thousands of merchants o
Wipro to Power Odido’s Digital Future Through AI-enabled End-to-End IT Modernization27.11.2025 15:22:00 EET | Press release
Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading AI-powered technology services and consulting company, today announced a multi-year engagement with Odido Netherlands B.V.* to transform its IT landscape and enhance customer experience across their enterprise and consumer segments. By combining AI and deep consulting expertise, Wipro will help Odido improve customer engagement and satisfaction, improve productivity, and streamline operations to reduce costs. A key highlight of this multi-year engagement is the use of a self-funded model, where productivity-driven savings are reinvested to continuously fund new digital initiatives, ensuring that innovation remains both sustainable and scalable. As part of the engagement, Wipro will lead a full-scale modernization of Odido’s digital and enterprise technology landscape as well as drive IT simplification and automation. This transformation will be powered by Wipro’s WEGA and WINGS AI delivery platforms, part of Wipro Intelligen
Klarna Set to Take off With Lufthansa Group, Bringing Flexible Payments to Travellers Across Europe and the U.S.27.11.2025 15:00:00 EET | Press release
Klarna, the global digital bank and flexible payments provider, today announces a new multi-market partnership with Lufthansa Group, Europe’s leading airline group. The new agreement is facilitated by Klarna’s integration with Adyen, the financial technology platform of choice for leading businesses. From November, Lufthansa Group customers will be able to choose Klarna’s flexible payment options at checkout when booking travel experiences. This new integration gives travellers greater control and convenience by offering the choice to pay in full, pay later, or spread the cost of their journey over time. The new options will be available first to customers in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. “Travel is one of the most meaningful investments people make,” said David Sykes, Chief Commercial Officer at Klarna. “Together, we’re giving travellers the confidence to book their trips their way—with more flexibilit
GE HealthCare announces CE Mark for new digital 4D SPECT/CT system, StarGuide GX27.11.2025 13:06:00 EET | Press release
GE HealthCare today announced CE Mark for its new StarGuide™ GX system,i a new digital 4D SPECT/CT designed with excellent precision, clinical efficiency and impressive versatility. This milestone marks a significant moment in molecular imaging’s evolution, helping empower clinicians to expand research and help personalize care across a growing range of nuclear medicine applications and tracers – including the acquisition of alpha emitters. StarGuide GX comes at a pivotal time for the field of nuclear medicine. As complex diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease become increasingly prevalent, the demand for precision diagnostics and targeted therapies is accelerating. StarGuide GX helps meet this need head-on, enabling clinicians to break free from energy-range limitations and image tracers with exceptional clarity. With growing demand for digital SPECT/CT – partially driven by the rise of theranostics – GE HealthCare’s innovation arrives as departments seek all-
Deetken Impact Expands Climate Finance Leadership as Canada Joins Inclusive Climate Action Fund27.11.2025 11:07:00 EET | Press release
Deetken Impact, a Canadian impact investment firm, is proud to partner with the Government of Canada and announce their CAD$106 million commitment in the new Inclusive Climate Action Fund (ICAF), a USD$300 million blended finance vehicle that will mobilize capital for climate finance initiatives across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Announced at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil by the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, ICAF will meaningfully contribute to sustainable and climate-resilient economies in LAC through the strategic provision of capital and technical assistance to companies and projects that drive climate mitigation and adaptation in key sectors such as clean energy, sustainable agriculture and agroforestry, and green finance. ICAF aims to achieve ambitious impacts including reducing, avoiding, or sequestering more than 5 million tCO2 and expanding access to climate solutions for 1
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom