SES 8 satellite. Photo: SpaceX

[Via Satellite 02-05-2014] SES’s SES 8 satellite has been co-positioned with the company’s NSS 6 satellite at the orbital location of 95 degrees east, and is now fully operational to serve markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

The SES 8 was launched in 2013 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and has passed all in-orbit tests. The satellite, manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation, features up to 33 Ku-band transponders, and is equipped with high performance beams to support the growing markets in South Asia and Indo-China. The co-location with NSS 6 will provide high performance capacity, and will deliver greater reliability and security for SES customers.