SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG),
announced today that its subsidiary SES ASTRA TechCom has been
selected to participate in Vietnam`s first public satellite project
VINASAT-1. The project, which is led by the Vietnamese Posts and
Telecommunications Group (VNPT), is realized with Lockheed Martin
Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) as the main contractor. LMCSS has
subcontracted SES ASTRA TechCom to deliver two satellite antenna
systems in Vietnam for Telecommand, Telemetry and Control (TT & C) as
well as training to the Vietnamese satellite operations personnel.
VINASAT-1 is scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2008. The
satellite will be used for telecommunication purposes.
SES ASTRA TechCom will work together with HITEC Luxembourg as
subcontractor to deliver two antenna systems in Hanoi and Binh Duong
Province for the new satellite. The antenna project is scheduled to be
completed in September 2007. In a second step, SES ASTRA TechCom will
provide training services for the future satellite engineers and
technicians. These training sessions will last between 6 and 12
months, take place in Hanoi and Luxembourg and are co-financed by the
Luxembourg Development Cooperation. Furthermore, the deal includes
several follow-on options for SES ASTRA TechCom for further
contributions to the Vietnamese satellite project.
"We are very proud that SES ASTRA TechCom has been chosen to
participate in the first Vietnamese satellite project," said Ferdinand
Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA. "The decision shows that we
are able to leverage our profound technical knowledge in the satellite
business and can further grow our broad service offerings to the
market through SES ASTRA TechCom."
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 1700
analogue and digital television and radio channels as well as
multimedia and Internet services. ASTRA's two prime orbital positions
for DTH services are 19.2degrees East and 28.2degrees East.
Professional services such as Direct-to cable (DTC), Satellite
Newsgathering (SNG) and Occasional Use are offered from the orbital
position of 23.5degrees East.
SES ASTRA is an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg
Stock Exchange: SESG). SES GLOBAL wholly owns three market-leading
satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in the US and
SES NEW SKIES in the rest of the world. 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 44
satellites across the globe. Additional info on SES GLOBAL at:
www.ses-global.com.
SES ASTRA TechCom provides operational services, technical
consultancy and high-tech products as well as integrated solutions to
the satellite industry. The Luxembourg-based SES affiliate is offering
the technical expertise and experience of SES ASTRA to satellite
manufacturers and operators as well as to broadcasters and public
organisations.
About HITEC Luxembourg www.hitec-luxembourg.com
HITEC Luxembourg S.A., a 100% owned Luxembourg company, was
incepted in 1986 and has developed its business activities in the
field of innovative and quality products and services. The company is
ISO 9001:2000 certified for engineering, analyses, consulting,
manufacturing and sales of systems in mechanics, electronics, physical
measuring techniques, microprocessors and data processing.
HITEC Luxembourg offers high technology solutions covering
different business areas: satellite ground segment technology;
customer specific and standard equipment for testing and measuring of
physical properties; engineering; consulting; software & ICT
development and project management. HITEC Luxembourg S.A. serves
private and public sector customers at a national and international
level. Its business objectives, as a specialized high technology
provider are to achieve a strong sustainable market position; to
expand its activities at an international level as well as to promote
the Luxembourg site through the realization of innovative high quality
value-added products and services.
