A concentration of constellations at Thales Alenia Space

On March 9, four satellites in the O3b constellation, built by Thales Alenia Space for SES Networks, were successfully launched by Arianespace from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana (South America). These four new satellites will expand and enrich the current constellation, comprising 12 O3b satellites also built by Thales Alenia Space, and operational in orbit since 2014. Together, they will deliver more capacity, expanded coverage, and greater efficiency and reliability. Via these high-performance satellites, SES Networks supplies broadband services to telecom and mobile telephony operators, Internet service providers, companies, mobile customers, government agencies and the energy industry.
According to Jean-Loïc Galle, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, “This joint venture, which combines the high-tech design of the platform developed by Spaceflight Industries with Thales Alenia Space’s proven expertise in manufacturing constellations, will provide production capacity exceeding the needs of BlackSky. Our partnership reflects the ‘new space’ transformation strategy being implemented by Thales Alenia Space, with the aim of becoming a major manufacturer of observation satellite constellations featuring short revisit times, both in Europe and the United States.”
Artistic views:© Thales Alenia Space/Master Image Programmes O3b: © Thales Alenia Space/Briot BlackSky: © SpaceFlight Inc.
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