Creation of SES ASTRA TechCom Belgium / Partnership with VERHAERT SPACE

SES ASTRA, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), has announced today that it develops its presence and business in Belgium with the creation of a new wholly owned subsidiary of SES ASTRA TechCom in this country. Its new subsidiary, SES ASTRA TechCom Belgium, aims to expand the satellite services in and from Belgium, and to develop active cooperation with other Belgian space companies. The new subsidiary will be based in the Euro Space Center in Transinne in the Belgian province of Luxembourg, close to the space station of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Redu.

Furthermore, SES ASTRA TechCom Belgium enters into partnership with the leading Belgian space system company VERHAERT SPACE. Together, they have applied for the operation of the ESA station in Redu where both companies position themselves to contribute to projects related to the European Galileo program and to develop new satellite activities. An ESA decision on the Redu application is expected in 2007.

“The creation of our new subsidiary and the partnership with VERHAERT SPACE are important steps for us to develop a significant presence and business activity in Belgium”, says Pascal Rogiest, General Manager of SES ASTRA TechCom. “In enhancing our geographical presence, we position ourselves to form new cooperations in the fields of satellite operations, telecommunications and public-private projects like Galileo and Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES). We will also contribute to the further development of the space business infrastructure in Belgium.”

“This partnership is a new step in the development of our satellite business”, says Paul Verhaert, founder of VERHAERT SPACE. “It represents an important opportunity to create value in our company and enhance the activities and business scope in Redu, and it will support the efforts of the Belgian Government to build a global presence in the satellite sector.”

About SES ASTRA                            www.ses-astra.com

SES ASTRA is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in Europe, delivering services to some 107 million Direct-to-Home and cable households. The ASTRA satellite fleet currently comprises 13 satellites, transmitting more than 1,700 analogue and digital television and radio channels. SES ASTRA also provides satellite-based multimedia, internet and telecommunication services to enterprises, governments and their agencies. With 19 High Definition (HD) channels available via its satellites today, ASTRA is also the most important HDTV broadcasting platform in Europe. ASTRA's prime orbital positions are 19.2° East, 28.2° East and 23.5° East.

SES ASTRA is an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG). SES wholly owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in North America, and SES NEW SKIES, which provides global connectivity as well as coverage. The Company also holds strategic participations in AsiaSat in Asia, Star One in Latin America, SES Sirius in Europe, Ciel in Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico. Americom Government Services provides network solutions and bandwidth to the US government and its contractors. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 44 satellites on 33 orbital positions around the globe. Additional information on SES is available at: www.ses-global.com

About SES ASTRA TechCom                   www.ses-astra.com/techcom

SES ASTRA TechCom provides operational services, technical consultancy and high-tech products as well as integrated solutions to the satellite industry. The Luxembourg-based SES affiliate is offering the technical expertise and experience of SES ASTRA to satellite manufacturers and operators as well as to broadcasters and public organisations.

About VERHAERT SPACE               www.verhaertspace.com

VERHAERT SPACE is a Belgian space system integrator, based in Kruibeke, designing and building small Satellites, cornerstone subsystems like the International Berthing and docking mechanism to interconnect large space craft, and scientific instruments for research in Space. VERHAERT SPACE became a QinetiQ company in 2005. VERHAERT SPACE has longterm partnership agreements with VERHAERT New PRODUCTS & SERVICES that is active in industrial New Product Development.

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