Luxembourg Considers SES O3b mPOWER for Flexible Satellite Communications
The Government of Luxembourg has signaled plans to use the O3b mPOWER mid-earth orbit system, developed by the national company SES, as a highly adaptable satellite communications backbone for Luxembourg, its partners, NATO, and critical-security activities such as defense and disaster recovery. This initiative has been reported by Satellite Pro Middle East .
As explained by François Bausch, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister, the projected cost of operating the system for a decade under the MEO Global Services program is approximately 195 million euros. This figure reflects comprehensive budgeting for sustained satellite services, including potential maintenance and upgrade provisions to ensure ongoing reliability for government and allied use .
Funding for the satellite communications portion is being arranged through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), with the Luxembourg government having signed an agreement at the end of 2022. The arrangement positions Luxembourg within a broader framework of allied access to space-based communications capabilities .
Approval of the SES services acquisition is anticipated by Luxembourg’s Parliament in the near term, marking a key step in formalizing the investment and its governance, oversight, and interoperability with other national and alliance systems .
The O3b mPOWER system is designed with an open architecture and uses data gateways distributed around the world. This setup enables seamless integration of new data links with existing government communication networks, supporting a range of secure, high-capacity links for critical operations .
Luxembourg’s leadership asserts that the SES O3b mPOWER satellite communications capabilities will strengthen joint Euro-Atlantic deterrence and defense, contributing to resilient and responsive national security postures across the alliance .
Earlier reporting noted that representatives from 17 NATO member countries and Sweden signed a statement of intent to establish a joint satellite reconnaissance network. The document underlines a shared interest in space-based observational capabilities to bolster collective security across Europe and North America .
According to statements from parts of the British Ministry of Defence, the document was acknowledged by the United Kingdom and Sweden and was also discussed by several other nations including Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, and France. The aim is to develop a framework for expanding space-based observation through international cooperation and the sharing of national space capabilities .
In summary, the announced initiative situates Luxembourg at the center of a broader strategy to leverage commercial satellite systems to augment government and alliance communications, with a focus on secure, flexible, and scalable coverage that can adapt to evolving defense and disaster-response needs .