It seems everyone in the satellite business wants to cosy up to Qatar’s billions!

A few weeks ago, Paris-based Eutelsat struck a “strategic alliance” to build a new satellite (from Space Systems/Loral). Now Luxembourg-based SES has signed a MoU with ictQatar covering the provision of joint satellite platforms, networks and services. The agreement was reached and signed with Qatar’s prime minister who was on a formal visit to Luxembourg. A joint press release says: “ictQATAR and SES will explore co-operation opportunities for the provision of satellite platforms, networks and services in the Middle East and beyond, including the provision of SES satellite capacity for the joint development of space assets and orbital positions as well as the associated ground segment.”

SES already has a joint-venture in the region with Abu Dhabi covering the marketing of Ku-band capacity on Yahsat. Eutelsat has close ties with Cairo-based Nilesat.

Other posts by Chris Forrester:

1. Optimism under threat at SES
2. Rivada visits Terran Orbital’s manufacturing HQ
3. Avanti wins spectrum debt obligation case
4. SpaceX breaks records for re-use launchers
5. IRIS2 already in trouble?
6. Intelsat contemplates next steps
7. SpaceX: 2.7m customers and $180bn value
8. Boeing, Virgin Galactic in court battle
9. Jupiter-3 a changemaker

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