SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), and Astrium, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS (Euronext Paris: EAD), announced today that Astrium will purchase a 75.1 percent stake in SES ASTRA’s satellite equipment provider and ground system integrator ND SatCom, based in Friedrichshafen, Germany. With this agreement, SES ASTRA and Astrium will be reinforcing their long-term relationship, and will also explore the potential for the two companies to work together in the development of new business opportunities in the government and institutions sector, as well as other specific satellite infrastructure projects. In 2009, ND Satcom’s contribution to SES revenues was 81 million Euros.

It is expected that the transaction will close during the first quarter of 2011, subject to the realisation of certain conditions including regulatory approvals.

SES ASTRA has a long-standing business relationship with Astrium and has ordered a total of nine satellites from the satellite manufacturer. Six of these satellites are currently under construction at Astrium’s facilities across Europe.

Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA, said: “This transaction will strengthen our relationship with Astrium Services through a joint shareholding in ND SatCom. It will also underpin our efforts to further enlarge the scope of our satellite infrastructure offering for governments and institutions, and to grow this promising new business segment. Together with Astrium Services, we will be able to take ND SatCom to the next phase of its development and strengthen its position.”

Eric Béranger, CEO of Astrium Services, said: “This move underlines our strong commitment to growing our business across Germany – one of our key home markets. With the deal due to conclude early next year, we will then have an opportunity to deploy significantly wider product range by combining Astrium’s secure satcoms, networks and terminals expertise with ND SatCom’s for a stronger offering to the civil, governmental and military markets.“

About SES ASTRA

SES ASTRA is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in Europe. The satellite fleet currently comprises 16 satellites. The ASTRA satellite system delivers services to more than 125 million DTH and cable households and transmits more than 2,600 analogue and digital television and radio channels. SES ASTRA also provides satellite-based multimedia, internet and telecommunication services to enterprises, governments and their agencies. With 150 High Definition (HD) channels on its main orbital positions, ASTRA represents the most important HDTV platform for Europe's leading broadcasters. The prime orbital positions for ASTRA are 19.2 degrees East, 28.2 degrees East, 23.5 degrees East, 5 degrees East and 31.5 degrees East. For further information: www.ses-astra.com

About SES

SES (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) wholly owns the market-leading satellite operators SES ASTRA and SES WORLD SKIES, and participations in Ciel in Canada, QuetzSat in Mexico as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a global fleet of 44 satellites. For further information: www.ses.com

About Astrium

Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2009, Astrium had a turnover of €4.8 billion and more than 15,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and Astrium Services for comprehensive end-to-end value-added solutions covering secure and commercial satcoms and networks, high security satellite communications equipment, bespoke geo-information and navigation services worldwide.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2009, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of € 42.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 119,000.

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