Photo of Falcon Heavy, courtesy of SpaceX

launch three additional SES satellites, on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy rockets. This launch agreement, concluded through SES’ affiliate company SES-SL, builds on the successful SpaceX-SES partnership that began in March of 2011 with the signing of the agreement for SES-8, due for launch in 2013. All four Falcon missions will support the enhancement of SES’ global fleet of satellites.

SES 8 satellite, artistic rendition courtesy of Orbital Sciences

“We’re very pleased to add these three additional launches to our agreement with SES,” said Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX. “It’s a strong endorsement of our launch capabilities and continues an outstanding partnership between our companies.”

The first SES/SpaceX mission under the contract announced today is scheduled for 2015.