SES Space & Defense Launch Demo Payload Supporting NASA Communications Services Plan

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by Business Wire SES Space & Defense Launch Demo Payload Supporting NASA Communications Services PlanAuthor of the article:RESTON, Va. — SES Space & Defense (SES SD), a wholly owned subsidiary of SES, has successfully launched a demonstration payload aboard Planet Labs PBC’s (Planet) Pelican-12™ satellite, in support of NASA’s Communications Services Project (CSP).THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe launch took place today, October 20, 2026, at 7:04 a.m. ET aboard the Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.NASA announced it will gradually sunset its Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) fleet and acquire commercial space relay services for future science missions in low Earth orbit (LEO). In 2022, NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation division awarded $278.5 million to industry through the Communications Services Project to fund development and demonstration of space relay services.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.SES Space & Defense has demonstrated LEO Relay Service (LRS) on both geosynchronous and O3b mPOWER medium Earth orbit data relay systems on orbit to provide low and high data rate services for mission backhaul and spacecraft state of health. The demonstration will continue to expand commercial service capability with the use of the Pelican satellite.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againPlanet’s Pelican is equipped with an internally developed Software Defined Radio (SDR) and paired with a folded optic flat slab tracking antenna for low latency, high throughput backhaul of mission data enabling a global capstone test to complete the SES Space & Defense CSP demonstration.“Global testing of our relay network is the culmination of four years of product development for the LEO Relay Services (LRS) utilizing the operational on-orbit constellations,” said Sam Sutton, vice president of Space Data Relay Services at SES Space & Defense. “LRS enables low latency, persistent connectivity regardless of satellite location, enabling critical data backhaul, Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C).”Upon completion of the demonstration, SES Space & Defense will have completed another key step for NASA’s CSP effort, advancing the validation of commercial capabilities to move toward future operational support for near-Earth science missions.About SES Space & DefenseSES Space & Defense is a wholly owned subsidiary of SES and is focused on building, managing, and supporting the most advanced satellite network solutions for the U.S. Government. SES Space & Defense uses a proven multi-operator network integration and management capability, a broad global terrestrial network, as well as access to SES’s multi-orbit satellite fleet. It also offers U.S. Department of Defense customers the essential tools in cybersecurity for mission-critical operations, coupled with a proven track record in governance and compliance. SES Space & Defense operates under a proxy board, enabling it to support classified projects, and it has participated in the U.S. Government satcom sector for nearly six decades. Further information can be found at: www.sessd.com.Forward-looking StatementsThis press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words and expressions such as “will,” “expand,” and “move toward.”This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict. Factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in SES’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F, such as risks of satellite destruction, damage or other failures or degradations in performance that could impair their commercial performance; and risks relating to disruption of business due to disruptions or failures of information systems, satellite control and operations networks, and other technology. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.View source version on businesswire.com: For further information please contact: This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.