Luxembourg-based commercial satellite operator SES has signed an agreement with Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) to launch an additional three satellites on SpaceX‘s Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy rockets.

The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

SES president and chief executive officer Romain Bausch said the new contract reflects SES’s priority for diversification of launch service providers and for securing timely access to space.

"This new contract is testimony to our belief in SpaceX’s product and technical abilities."

"This new contract is testimony to our belief in SpaceX’s product and technical abilities," Bausch added.

The new deal builds on the SpaceX-SES partnership, which began in March 2011 with the signing of an agreement to launch a geostationary satellite SES-8, scheduled for launch in 2013.

The first SES/SpaceX project under the latest contract is scheduled for launch in 2015.

SES noted that all the four missions being launched by Falcon were expected to support the company in boosting its global fleet of satellites.

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.

California-based SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches rockets, spacecraft and has made more than 40 launches in order to resupply the space station and deliver government and commercial satellites into orbit.

In May, SpaceX’s Dragon capsule became the first commercial vehicle to attach to the International Space Station (ISS).

In August, the company received clearance from NASA to carry cargo to the ISS, with the first mission scheduled for October.