MCLEAN, Va., Dec 21, 2011 — SES Government Solutions (SES Government Solutions) today announced that the Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP), hosted on the SES-2 satellite launched in September, has successfully completed initial on-orbit testing and has begun its demonstration period.

In addition to being the first commercially hosted payload for the U.S. Air Force and the first government payload on an SES satellite, CHIRP recently broke new ground as it observed the launch of a NASA weather and climate satellite in an early test of its capabilities.

The CHIRP program integrates a new type of wide field-of-view sensor technology, designed by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) on board the SES-2 satellite, built by Orbital Sciences Corporation.

Tip Osterthaler, President and CEO of SES Government Solutions noted, “Since completing initial on-orbit tests, we are pleased to share that the sensor continues to provide valuable insight into the potential for future wide field-of-view technologies and the benefits of this type of innovative arrangement.”

About SES Government Solutions sessd.com

SES Government Solutions, a subsidiary of global satellite operator 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 Government Solutions offers robust and secure satellite-based communications solutions. Supported by SES’s fleet of 49 satellites offering comprehensive global coverage, SES Government Solutions offers highly reliable fixed and on-the-move capacity.

About SES www.ses.com

SES is a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of 49 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organizations 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 /quotes/zigman/223331 FR:SESG +0.03% (luxx:SESG) holds participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico, as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks.