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
UAE’s Medcare Treats First International SMA Patient With Revolutionary Intrathecal Gene Therapy30.12.2025 16:15:00 EET | Press release
Medcare Women & Children Hospital has successfully administered a pioneering intrathecal gene therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to Hulus, a three-year-old patient from Turkey. This milestone positions Medcare among the first private healthcare providers worldwide to offer this innovative treatment to an older international patient, overcoming previous age and weight limitations. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251230695275/en/ World's first international patient, who received intrathecal gene therapy at Medcare Royal Hospital in Dubai, UAE, along with parents, and the hospital team. (Photo: AETOSWire) SMA is a rare neuromuscular disorder that progressively weakens muscles responsible for movement and breathing. This newly licensed one-time therapy addresses the root genetic cause by delivering a functional SMN1 gene. For Hulus, whose daily routine earlier depended on intensive physiotherapy and hydroth
Amazfit Introduces Active Max: Bigger, Brighter, and Built for Maximum Performance30.12.2025 10:00:00 EET | Press release
Amazfit, a leading global smart wearable brand by Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP), today announces the Amazfit Active Max, the newest member of the Amazfit Active family. Built for everyday athletes and anyone looking to elevate their wellness routine, Active Max blends a 1.5″ ultra-bright AMOLED display, up to 25 days of battery life, easy podcast listening and advanced training tools to support consistent training and clearer visibility across any activity. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251230279762/en/ Bigger Display. Max Clarity: A 1.5″ ultra-bright AMOLED display delivers exceptional clarity in any setting—whether in the gym, outdoors, or on the move. With up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, the screen ensures real-time stats are always easy to read. Active Max introduces a higher-precision training experience through BioCharge™ readiness insights, adaptive coaching, enhanced strength-training tracking, and c
2026 Future of Fitness Report: Experts from Coherent Solutions Turn Years of Fitness Industry Software Engineering Work Into a Guidebook on Future-proof Digital Transformation in Fitness29.12.2025 19:48:00 EET | Press release
Coherent Solutions has released its 2026 Future of Fitness report, capturing years of domain knowledge from helping emerging and global fitness brands drive digital transformation, innovate, and improve member engagement. “The Future of Fitness: Winning with Digital Value Creation” takes lessons from real projects and fitness enthusiasts, turning them into a guidebook for the next era of fitness. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251229965712/en/ New Fitness Tech Whitepaper by Coherent Solutions While the global fitness market is on track to surpass $257 billion, and brands are expanding globally, pioneering new regions, and implementing new technologies, the report highlights the most effective growth trajectory in acknowledging the importance of technology as equal to supporting the fitness community. "Most people only spend 3–5 hours a week in a gym. That leaves 160+ hours where their choices and habits are i
Hanshow and the University of Cambridge Launch Joint Research on Augmented Intelligent Hybrid Wireless Technology25.12.2025 13:34:00 EET | Press release
Hanshow, a global leader in electronic shelf labels (ESL) and digital store solutions, has entered into a multi-year research collaboration with the University of Cambridge, one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions. The partnership will focus on joint research and innovation in next-generation intelligent hybrid wireless technologies, marking an important milestone in Hanshow’s continued investment in core technologies and long-term innovation. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251225988816/en/ This collaboration leverages the University of Cambridge’s deep expertise in fundamental wireless technology research, alongside Hanshow’s extensive industry experience, to further strengthen multi-protocol integration capabilities and expand scalable applications across diverse retail scenarios. Guided by shared principles of innovation, collaboration, openness, and knowledge sharing, the two parties aim
Social Development Bank Highlights Strategic Partnerships and Global Initiatives at DeveGo 202524.12.2025 18:27:00 EET | Press release
The Social Development Bank (SDB) hosted the second edition of the Entrepreneurship and Modern Business Practices Forum, “DeveGo 2025”, from 21 to 23 December in Riyadh. Held under the patronage of His Excellency Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and Chairman of SDB’s Board of Directors, the forum brings together government leaders, global experts, investors, and entrepreneurs to shape the future of entrepreneurship and modern business practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251224036724/en/ From right to left: Ahmed Al Rajhi, Saudi's Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, H.E. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, and Sultan Al Hamidi, CEO of Social Development (Photo: AETOSWire) Opening the forum, Minister Al Rajhi delivered a keynote speech on the growing vibrancy of Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial movem
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