Astrium will purchase a 75.1% stake in SES ASTRA’s satellite equipment provider and ground system integrator ND SatCom, based in Germany.

SES ASTRA President and CEO Ferdinand Kayser said that the transaction would strengthen its 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,” he added.

“Together with Astrium Services, we will be able to take ND SatCom to the next phase of its development and strengthen its position.”

SES ASTRA has a long-standing business relationship with Astrium and has ordered a total of nine satellites from the satellite manufacturer, of which, six are currently under construction.

The transaction will close during the first quarter of 2011.