Three Falcon launch orders from SES
September 12, 2012
By Chris Forrester
SES and SpaceX used the Paris Euroconsult conference to announce a new order for three satellite launches on SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rockets. These are additional to an existing order already in place between SES and SpaceX and covering the launch of SES-8.
This is a very significant order for SpaceX, financed to date by billionaire Elon Musk, and demonstrates a high degree of confidence by the commercial launch industry. Other Falcon orders are in place from Intelsat and Spacecom/Amos.
Romain Bausch, President and CEO of SES, stated: “SES was the first leading commercial satellite operator to place a launch contract with SpaceX and we eagerly await the launch of SES-8 in 2013. This new contract is testimony to our belief in SpaceX’s product and technical abilities. It also confirms SES’ priority for diversification of launch service providers and for securing timely access to space. We look forward to a long-term relationship with SpaceX.”
“We’re very pleased to add these three additional launches to our agreement with SES,” said Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX. “It’s a strong endorsement of our launch capabilities and continues an outstanding partnership between our companies.”
The first SES/SpaceX mission under the contract announced today is scheduled for 2015.