Satellite Industry Leaders Establish New Space Association
Global satellite operators SES S.A. (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), Intelsat, Ltd., and Inmarsat plc (LSE:ISAT), today announced that they have founded the Space Data Association Ltd. (SDA), a non-profit company established in the Isle of Man that is the first satellite operator-led association dedicated to sharing critical operational data in support of satellite operations, improving flight safety and preserving the space environment.
The SDA’s Directors are Stewart Sanders (SES), Tobias Nassif (Intelsat) and Ruy Pinto (Inmarsat). ManSat, an Isle of Man company, will provide administrative services for the association that will be open to all satellite operators and other participants.
In order to enhance the management of satellite conjunction analysis and mitigation of RF interference, the SDA will also establish the Satellite Data Center to provide an efficient, reliable and secure means for participants to share key operations data. The SDA anticipates that its electronic Data Center will become operational in 2010.
“The sharing of data among satellite operators has been a key factor in the successful management of space resources we share. The SDA will provide the means for improving that sharing, securing the integrity of operations for all satellite operators and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the space environment,” said Romain Bausch, President and CEO of SES. “Also, on behalf of the directors of the SDA, I would like to thank the Isle of Man government for its support of the commercial space industry and the establishment of this association.”
Intelsat CEO Dave McGlade said, “With the creation of the Space Data Association, global satellite operators have signaled their intention to play a leadership role in increasing the safety of space operations and preserving the space environment for future generations. This organization will create an important forum for sharing critical information among the member operators and between those operators and interested governments.”
Inmarsat Chairman and CEO, Andrew Sukawaty said, “Inmarsat is committed to support this important initiative along with Intelsat and SES. The establishment of the Space Data Association is a significant milestone that will contribute to an improvement overall of our day to day satellite operations and I expect that many other satellite operators will soon join the SDA”.
“We are delighted to be part of this exciting project which has clear benefits across the entire satellite industry,” said Ian Jarritt, Director of ManSat and Secretary to the SDA.
About SES
SES (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) wholly owns the market-leading satellite operators SES ASTRA and SES WORLD SKIES, 90% of SES SIRIUS in Europe, and participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a global fleet of 40 satellites in 26 orbital locations. For further information: www.ses.com
About Intelsat
Intelsat is the leading provider of fixed satellite services worldwide. For 45 years, Intelsat has been delivering information and entertainment for many of the world’s leading media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet service providers and governmental agencies. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video, data and voice services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and broadband access, with Intelsat, advanced communications anywhere in the world are closer, by far.
About Inmarsat
Inmarsat began operating in 1979 and today is the leading provider of global mobile communications services. It owns a fleet of 11 geostationary satellites from which a wide range of voice and high-speed data services are provided through an established global network of distributors and service providers. Following the acquisition of Stratos Global Corporation in April 2009, Inmarsat plc has two principal operating divisions, Inmarsat Global and Stratos Global.
Contacts
Ian Jarritt, Secretary
Space Data Association Limited
www.space-data.org
Ian.Jarritt@space-data.org
