- SES is expecting the new Luxembourg facility to open in 2028
- The site will support engineering, manufacturing and satellite testing
- SES is working with CDCL Group and ParcLuxite to build the facility
SES has begun building a satellite manufacturing facility in Kockelscheuer, Luxembourg, that is intended to support the development and production of satellite systems for its medium Earth orbit network and European programs.
The company said Thursday the 16,000-square-meter facility, slated to open in 2028, is intended to support the development of satellite networks and secure communications. SES said the site will also provide opportunities for collaboration with its partners.
Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES, described the facility as “a landmark moment for SES and for Luxembourg’s space sector.” The 2026 Wash100 Award winner said the company plans to build a hub for space systems manufacturing and engineering to accelerate development cycles and support the delivery of multi-orbit services.
Al-Saleh noted that the new site expands on work SES has already done with its pilot line and research and development facility.
What Will the New SES Facility Include?
The Kockelscheuer facility is part of Luxembourg’s plans for a dedicated Space Campus. The site will include areas for advanced engineering, manufacturing and testing, along with office space and supporting infrastructure.
CDCL Group and Poudrerie de Luxembourg, also known as ParcLuxite, are partnering with SES on the project. Capital expenditures for the facility are covered under SES’ existing capital expenditure guidance.
How Will the Luxembourg Facility Support SES Programs?
SES plans to use the site to support the development of meoSphere, its medium Earth orbit network. The company selected K2 Space in March to develop 28 high-power satellite platforms for the MEO constellation while SES is designing and manufacturing the software-defined payloads for the system.
The facility will also support payload development and satellite assembly, integration and testing for Europe’s Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity & Security by Satellite, or IRIS², program. SES is part of the SpaceRISE consortium, which secured a 12-year concession contract offer in 2024 from the European Commission to develop, deploy and operate IRIS². The planned multi-orbit system is expected to include more than 290 satellites and associated ground components, with government services expected to begin by 2030.
SES said the project builds on its experience with the second-generation O3b mPOWER program.
