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Luxembourg-based commercial satellite operator SES has chosen Boeing to manufacture communication satellite SES-9, which will serve the Asian market.

Boeing will develop the new spacecraft based on 702 High Power (HP) model at its El Segundo satellite development facility in California, US.

Financial details of the latest deal have not been disclosed.

Boeing Satellite Systems International chief operating officer Craig Cooning said the 702HP satellite would have a configured xenon ion propulsion system and chemical bi-propellant system that will reduce its launch weight, while allowing for maximum payload capacity.

Designed to operate in geosynchronous orbit for 15 years, SES-9 will feature a 12.7kW payload and 57 high-power Ku-band transponders, which is equivalent to 81 36MHz transponders.

It will be placed at 108.2° E orbital position along with the existing SES-7 and NSS-11 satellites and offer incremental and replacement capacity to this strategic orbital slot above Asia.

The Ku-band 702 High Power (HP) satellite is expected to boost SES’s direct-to-home broadcasting and other communications services in the north-eastern and southern parts of Asia in addition to maritime transmissions for vessels in the Indian Ocean.

"SES is convinced that Boeing’s 702HP will prove to be mission-critical in order to provide state-of-the-art, high-power satellite capacity to the thriving markets of Asia."

SES president and chief executive Romain Bausch said the new satellite would enable the company to expand its transmission capacity over Asia, while adding increased flexibility and redundancy to the company’s slot.

"SES is convinced that Boeing’s 702HP will prove to be mission-critical in order to provide state-of-the-art, high-power satellite capacity to the thriving markets of Asia," Bausch said.

The Luxembourg company operates a fleet of 51 geostationary satellites, through which it offers communications services to broadcasters, telecommunications operators, and governmental organisations around the world.

Boeing has already manufactured ten spacecraft for SES through its 25-year partnership.

Image: An artist’s impression of SES-9, which is expected to boost SES transmissions capability over Asia. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.