New ASTRA 1M Satellite To Be Launched On 31 October

BETZDORF, Luxembourg — SES ASTRA, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), announced today that the launch of its new satellite ASTRA 1M from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan is scheduled for 31 October 2008. ASTRA 1M will be launched on a Proton Breeze M launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services (ILS) and isthe 7th ASTRA satellite to be launched on a Proton rocket.

The spacecraft built by EADS ASTRIUM, and based on the Eurostar 3000 platform, will be positioned at SES ASTRA’s prime orbital position 19.2 degrees East, where it will provide pan-European coverage. It will primarily deliver Direct-to-Home (DTH) services, including High Definition (HD) television. The launch of ASTRA 1M will allow SES ASTRA to redeploy other satellites to its increasingly important orbital position of 23.5 degrees East.

Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA, said: “SES and the Proton launch team are very experienced partners. Since the launch of ASTRA 1F on Proton in 1996, we have developed strong and reliable relationships with ILS and Khrunichev.We are counting on the continuous support by our launch partner and look forward to working with the launch team for this upcoming launch.”