[Satellite TODAY 03-02-11] SES Astra has completed the sale of its stake in German satellite equipment provider and ground system integrator ND SatCom to Astrium, SES announced March 1.
    The transaction, announced in October, sees SES recoup 75.1 percent of the 81 million euros ($112 million) it invested in ND SatCom. SES Astra initially acquired 10 percent of ND SatCom in December 2000 and eventually increased its stake to 100 percent in May 2006. The satellite operator will remain a minority shareholder with 24.9 percent.
    "This underlines the strength of our commitment to grow our business in Germany – one of our major domestic markets. With this agreement, we will be able to significantly expand our product line, combining the expertise of Astrium in satcoms, secure networks and terminals with that of ND SatCom to deliver a more robust civilian markets, government and military," Astrium Services CEO Eric Beranger said in a statement.