SES Government Solutions (SES Government Solutions) has been awarded a two-year contract extension with U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. The contract allows the Air Force to continue its research and development mission through the use of the Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP) aboard the SES-2 satellite.
This extension will allow the Air Force to explore additional operational scenarios and understand the mission utility of different approaches to operating the wide-field-of-view infrared sensor payload.
The original five-year term contract was signed in July of 2008 with the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. The primary purpose of the CHIRP experiment was to test a new type of infrared sensor from geosynchronous altitude. After successful integration of the CHIRP payload onto the SES-2 commercial spacecraft, the satellite was launched on September 21, 2011 from Kourou, French Guiana. Since the launch, the sensor’s performance has met many milestones and exceeded estimated life expectancy on orbit.
SES Government Solutions President & CEO, Tip Osterthaler stated that, “CHIRP truly illustrates how a hosted payload aboard a commercial satellite can go above and beyond in providing the U.S. Government with reliable and affordable access to space.”
About SES Government Solutions
SES Government Solutions, a subsidiary of SES, is exclusively focused on meeting the satellite communications needs of the U.S. Government. Leveraging more than three decades of experience in the government SATCOM market, SES U.S. Government Solutions offers robust and secure satellite-based communications solutions. Supported by SES’s fleet of 54 satellites offering comprehensive global coverage, SES Government Solutions offers highly reliable fixed and on-the-move capacity.
About SES
SES is a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of 54 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide.
SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the broadcasting industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.
SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) holds participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico, as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. Further information under: www.ses.com.
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Contacts
SES Government Solutions Nicole Robinson 703-610-0972 nicole.robinson@sessd.com