Cheaper, Faster Access to Space

At a time where many government satellite programs experience schedule delays, cancellations, and budgetary challenges – the use of commercially hosted payloads can help accelerate program schedules, fill operational gaps, execute proof-of-concept activities, and provide a timely and affordable means of placing equipment into orbit.

The frequency of commercial launches provides many opportunities for government payloads to be placed into operational orbit. The robust launch pace and strict schedule requirements of commercial spacecraft programs ensures efficient access to space with minimal chance for delays. 

It’s for reasons like these that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have chosen to use hosted payloads to accomplish their missions.

What is a Hosted Payload?

Hosted payloads are government-dedicated payloads – such as transponders, imaging sensors, space environmental monitors – that are hosted on board commercial satellites. These payloads utilize the satellite’s available power, mass, space, telemetry and command, and data downlink capacity. This enables the U.S. government to place payloads into orbit at a fraction of the price – and far more quickly.

Missions Suited for Hosted Payloads:

  • Risk Reduction Activities – Prototype Demonstrations
  • Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Advancement
  • Operational Mission Acceleration for:
    • Space Situational Awareness
    • Tailored Communication Systems
    • Space Environmental Monitoring
    • Space Based Augmentation for Navigation
    • Earth Monitoring

For unique U.S. government mission requirements, SES Space & Defense can apply its fleet and mission development skills to build, launch, and operate dedicated spacecrafts.

Why SES Space & Defense?

Agencies like NASA and the FAA have chosen SES Space & Defense for their hosted payloads because SES Space & Defense offers:

  • Accelerated time to in-orbit capability
  • Dependable launch opportunities
  • Utilization of excess solar power available at beginning of satellite life 
  • Flexibility to accommodate a wide range of missions and longitudes
  • Full spacecraft partnerships and planning
  • Shared platform resources = shared common costs
  • Customer operated payload option (independent of the host satellite)
  • Commercial transponders available for data downlink as needed
  • Highly experienced on-site spacecraft procurement engineering / management team
  • Leveraging of existing spacecraft operations and world-wide teleport network
  • End-to-end service offering (data to customer doorstep)
  • Full involvement and build/test insight provided to hosted payload client

SES Space & Defense provides exclusive access to SES Space & Defense’s global fleet of Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites as well as provide hosted payload opportunities with each launch.

Additional News Articles

Want to learn more about our Hosted Payloads Solutions?
Check out these articles from the Government Satellite Report.

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