Revenue of SES Satellites, by country 2020-2023

SES Satellites (SES) is one of the world's leading satellite telecommunications network providers, founded in Luxembourg in 1985 as Europe's first satellite operator. In 2023, more than one-third of SES' total revenue was generated in the United States. The revenue of SES in Luxembourg amounted to nearly 50 million euros that year.

The global space economy

The global space industry, valued at around 470 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, includes various activities ranging from telecommunications to tracking data on climate change. Governments, particularly space agencies such as NASA, have long been at the forefront of space exploration and technological advancements and continue to play a significant role. Nevertheless, a growing number of private companies have invested massively in recent years to develop the so-called commercial use of space, notably the space tourism sector.

Utilizing space for communication purposes

Communications satellites provide telecommunication, broadcasting, and data communication services. Historically, intercontinental telephony was first achieved with the help of the Testar-I satellite backed by AT&T which NASA launched in 1962. Nowadays, satellite communications and other space-based technologies are poised to play an increasingly critical role in supporting the 5G ecosystem, thanks to intrinsic advantages such as higher broadcasting capabilities, global coverage, and reduced reliance on terrestrial infrastructure.