Tele-X, the first telecommunication satellite for the Nordic countries, was launched 20 years ago today.

The satellite was launched with an Ariane 2 rocket from French Guyana in South America 2 April 1989 and was in service until the fuel was exhausted 16 January 1998 when we de-orbited it.

Tele-X was the initial step into a new era for advanced telecommunication in Northern Europe. It was also the first comunication satellite to be controlled by SSC from Esrange Space Center near the town of Kiruna in Northern Sweden. The very first satellite to be controlled by SSC was Viking, Swedens first satellite launched in 1986.

Tele-X was the first satellite within the SES Sirius fleet (at the time NSAB, Nordic Satellite AB). During the years, four additional satellites were added; Sirius 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Read more about Tele-X
Read more about Viking
Read more about Satellite Services within SSC.
Read more about Satellit Systems within SSC.