The satellite service provider SES has placed an order worth an estimated five hundred million Euros with the Space systems group Astrium, a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Company.

The order is for four new satellites which will be known as ASTRA 2E, ASTRA 2F, ASTRA 2G and ASTRA 5B.

The estimated launch time will be between 2012 and 2014 and each satellite should have a lifespan of around fifteen years.

Once in orbit and fully operational the satellites will be used to boost the satellite TV services in Europe and in Africa too.

This is an interesting announcement from SES which has been building and putting satellites into orbit at a high rate over the last couple of years in order to keep up with the demand from consumers.