[Satellite TODAY 09-08-10] SES has signed an extension of its Multi Launch Agreement (MLA) with International Launch Services (ILS), the operator announced.
The agreement has been extended to the end of December 2014, with the addition of a sixth firm ILS Proton mission likely to take place in 2014.
    The first SES launch under the MLA was the successful ILS Proton launch of SES-1 in April this year. In addition, two of the four SES missions are slated in 2011 and 2012 for the launches of the SES-3, SES-4, QuetzSat-1 and SES-5/Astra 4B satellites will be part of the MLA. The remaining three MLA missions will be assigned as needed and in principle cover the 2012 – 2014 time frame. In addition, Proton will provide back-up launch capability for SES missions in 2011 as part of the increased flexibility and improved schedule assurances under this MLA.
     “The MLA has allowed us to support the continuous development and replacement of our global satellite fleet, giving us an additional competitive edge. Romain Bausch, CEO, SES said in a statement.
    Separately, SES recently signed an amendment of its April 2009 revolving credit facility in an amount of 1.2 billion euros ($1.55 billion), while at the same time pushing the maturity of the facility out to April 2015. According to SES, the transaction received a very positive reception from the banks invited. With existing lenders stepping up and new banks joining, the deal closed substantially oversubscribed from the initial launch amount of 1 billion euros ($1.29 billion), according to the operator. Consequently, SES has decided to increase the targeted facility amount and use the remainder of the oversubscription to scale the banks’ commitments back.

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