Satellite Operator SES from Luxembourg ordered their SES-17 satellite with Thales Alenia Space (TAS). The satellite would deliver high-speed connectivity services to mobility, enterprise and government segments to serve North America, South America, the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean with Ka-band coverage.

SES-17 features almost 200 spot beams and will address demands for high-speed and flexible data connectivity across aviation, maritime, enterprise and government segments, advancing the region’s digitalization objectives and helping to bridge the digital divide.

The SES-17 satellite is the new flagship of the SES fleet and is the most advanced and largest GEO satellite ever procured by SES and ever built by TAS. It will weigh over six metric tons at launch, with a payload power of 17kW at the beginning of its 15-year design life. The satellite will also be used to supply in-flight multimedia services through Thales’ FlytLIVE system, allowing airline passengers to enjoy endless connectivity in the air.

Thales Avionics will be the anchor customer over North America and will use SES-17 to deliver unrivalled connectivity for commercial aviation.

SES-17 was launched on October 23rd, 2021 in a dual launch with the French Syracuse-4A military satellite on an Ariane 5ECA rocket operated by launch operator Arianespace from the Kourou launch base in French Guiana.