ASTRA (SES ASTRA. S.A.)

ASTRA, the leading European satellite operator, brings unique expertise in satellite communications including broadcast, data and internet services. SES ASTRA is part of the SES group, which includes AMERICOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES (AGS) in the United States and strategic participations in other leading regional operators. Global satellite coverage is ensured through a fleet of more than 40 satellites, ideally complementing the coverage of Hellas Sat over Europe, the Middle East and South Africa.

The experience acquired in operating ASTRA’s large space and ground network brings an unrivalled operational edge for planning, implementing and operating complex satellite network solutions including tailored and robust ground segments. International agencies like NATO and US government agencies (including the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security and Intelligence) and commercial contractors take advantage of the expertise through tailored packages offered by ASTRA Government Services in Europe and AGS in the US.

In Greece, ASTRA’s track record includes successfully assuming full operations of the Hellas Sat satellite after launch for a period of 16 months. During that period, ASTRA engineers commissioned the Hellas Sat ground segment in Athens and Cyprus and trained Hellas Sat’s personnel to take over control of the satellite. The successful project has led to excellent technical and corporate relationships with Hellas Sat.

ASTRA can bring the complementary expertise and commitment to the customer required for successful execution of your projects.

Network-centric communications for military use
Any military operation, be it direct conflict, peacekeeping or a relief mission, relies on accurate, up-to-the-minute information. As sea-, land- and air-based military weapons systems become smart, they can be networked together to share vital information which, when combined with intelligence from ground, sea and air sensors, can provide an accurate picture of any conflict situation.

However, such vast amounts of intelligence are of limited use if data bottlenecks inhibit the ability of information to flow speedily. Through the SES group fleet of satellites and terrestrial link packages, ASTRA can provide network-centric communications to enable sufficient data flow for military operations in any part of the globe.

When natural disasters, international conflicts and homeland security threats arise, satellite is able to respond immediately to the increased need for telecommunications capacity. The bandwidth is already in place and solutions are easily implemented. Other communications infrastructures cannot react to changes in global telecoms needs as rapidly as satellite.

The commitment to providing governments with precise solutions matching the requirements means to be ready to deliver at any time. ASTRA government services draws on a pool of proven products and services, partially patented and delivered by ASTRA, and in addition is part of an excellent partner network that ensures that quality products and the latest technology is always available.

Global satellite bandwidth
ASTRA is the gateway for EMEA-based organisations to the entire SES group assets of C-, Ku- and Ka-band capacity. Users can rely on the expertise of ASTRA's government services unit to provide satellite coverage for any geographical area on demand, buying capacity on other satellites at best prices if required. With more than 40 satellites in the SES group combined fleet we can provide unsurpassed coverage of 95% of the world's population.

International operations and consultancy support
As a satellite communications supplier with a proven technical pedigree we provide expert consultancy on a global basis. With access to the additional resources of the SES group including AMERICOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES (AGS), ASTRA TechCom satellite products, and working with an extensive network of partners with complementary global resources, we can provide EMEA governments and their agencies with full turnkey engineering and integration services and systems all over the world.

ASTRA provides comprehensive, custom-built solutions to suit the precise technical needs of our clients from large-scale projects, such as ground infrastructure construction and satellite procurement, through to producing software and licensing support. We can take care of system design, satellite/ground engineering, frequency co-ordination, orbit determination, risk management and satellite/traffic operations.

Network design, installation and support
Expert systems engineers can create satellite based communication networks to meet your own specific requirements. VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) networks are totally independent of existing terrestrial infrastructures and use small (1.2 - 2.4m) satellite dishes for sending information between two points, or more importantly, point to multi-point locations. ASTRA can provide global or regional satellite networks for data, voice and video applications as required.