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ASTRA 1KR Operational at Orbital Position 19.2(degree) East; Technical Tests Completed / Further Strengthening of ASTRA fleet


    SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Paris:SESG)
    (LuxX:SESG), announces today that its new satellite ASTRA 1KR has been
    deployed at the company's prime orbital 19.2(degree) East and is now
    operational. The satellite was successfully launched from Cape
    Canaveral on 20 April onboard an Atlas V rocket and has now completed
    extensive testings of its hardware and broadcasting functionalities.
    ASTRA 1KR has 32 active transponders and provides distribution of
    Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcast services for SES ASTRA customers across
    Europe, with an extended reach into Eastern Europe. The new satellite
    allows SES ASTRA to replace its satellites ASTRA 1B and ASTRA 1C at
    the same orbital position. ASTRA 1B has reached the end of its life
    after 15 years of service and will be deorbited within the coming
    weeks.
    "We are very pleased that our ASTRA 1KR mission has been completed
    and that we can welcome a new member in the ASTRA satellite fleet",
    says Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA. "ASTRA 1KR will
    further strengthen the ASTRA fleet at our prime orbital position
    19.2(degree) East and will allow us to maintain the best possible
    service and quality for our customers across Europe."

    Please find an updated presentation of the SES fleet on our
    website:
    http://media.ses-astra.com/downloads_astra/Pictures/
    Satellite_Fleet/0_Global_Sat_Fleet_L.jpg
    (Note to Editors: You might need to copy and paste the above link into
    your browser.)

    About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com

    The ASTRA Satellite System is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH)
    satellite system in Europe, delivering services to some 107 million
    Direct-to-Home and cable households. The ASTRA satellite fleet
    currently comprises 13 satellites, transmitting in excess of 1600
    analogue and digital television and radio channels as well as
    multimedia and Internet services. ASTRA's two prime orbital positions
    for DTH services are 19.2(degree) East and 28.2(degree) East.
    Professional services such as Direct-to cable (DTC), Satellite
    Newsgathering (SNG) and Occasional Use are offered from the orbital
    position of 23.5(degree) East.
    SES ASTRA is an SES GLOBAL company (Paris:SESG)(LuxX:SESG). SES
    GLOBAL wholly owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA
    in Europe, SES AMERICOM in the US and New Skies Satellites in regions
    other than North America and Europe. The Company also holds strategic
    participations in AsiaSat in Asia, Star One in Latin America, SES
    Sirius in Europe, Ciel in Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico. Americom
    Government Services provides network solutions and bandwidth to the US
    government and its contractors. SES GLOBAL provides outstanding
    satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 43 satellites across
    the globe. Additional information on SES GLOBAL is available at:
    www.ses-global.com