Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a provider of commercial satellites, today announced that it reached the milestone of 2,000 satellite years on orbit this month.

    Satellite years on orbit are calculated by adding together every year that a satellite built by SSL has provided service, and amassing those numbers for every satellite. The number includes GEOs, HIEOs and LEOs, with the majority of the satellites providing service well beyond their contracted life. With its first satellite that provided a full year service launched in 1966, SSL has provided more than 250 satellites to 43 different satellite operators in more than 15 countries around the world.

    “As we meet and exceed the 2,000 satellite years on orbit milestone, I would like to thank all of the satellite operators who have put their faith in SSL,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “Our company is privileged to work with an extraordinary selection of the world’s important satellite operators who over the years have made a great contribution to humanity with services for search and rescue, emergency services, distance learning, telemedicine, and improved communications and entertainment around the globe. We are proud of our long heritage and achievements, but it is our customers who have made SSL the success it is today.”