SSL-built multi-mission satellite for Telesat begins post-launch maneuvers according to plan

Following successful April 15 launch, Anik G1 deploys solar arrays and continues progress to geostationary orbit

PALO ALTO, CA, April 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that the Anik G1 satellite, designed and built for Telesat, one of the world's top satellite operators, was launched yesterday and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan. The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard a Proton Breeze M launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services (ILS) from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan. The satellite will begin firing its main thruster tomorrow in order to start maneuvering into geosynchronous orbit.

Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130416/MM95314

"I would like to thank and congratulate everyone at Telesat, ILS, and SSL who contributed to the success of Anik G1," said John Celli, president of SSL.  "With a legacy of trust and collaboration, our companies share a commitment to the highest quality service and the expansion of the world's ability to communicate."

Anik G1 is a multi-mission satellite with three different payloads that will provide direct-to-home (DTH) television service in Canada, as well as broadband, voice, data, and video services in South America where economic growth has driven high demand for satellite services. It is also the first commercial satellite with a substantial X-band payload for government communications over the Americas and the Pacific Ocean including Hawaii. The satellite will be positioned at 107.3 degrees West longitude where it will be co-located with Telesat's Anik F1 satellite, doubling both the C-band and Ku-band transponders serving South America from the 107.3 degrees West orbital location.

"The launch of Anik G1 reflects Telesat's commitment to bringing the most advanced satellite services to our customers," said Dan Goldberg, President and CEO of Telesat. "Once in service, Anik G1 will provide expansion capacity for DTH services over Canada, a new X-band payload for government services, and additional C-band and Ku-band capacity for South America, where demand continues to grow.  The Anik G1 program was a superb team effort between Telesat and SSL and we are very pleased that the satellite is on orbit and has completed its initial deployments according to plan."

Anik G1 is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 space-proven platform, which has the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The spacecraft is designed to deliver service for 15 years or more. With this launch, there are 73 SSL-built satellites currently on orbit.

About Telesat (www.telesat.com)
Telesat is a leading global fixed satellite services operator providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecom, corporate and government customers. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with offices and facilities around the world, the company's state-of-the-art fleet will grow to 14 satellites once Anik G1 is brought into service. The fleet today consists of 13 satellites plus the Canadian Ka-band payload on ViaSat-1. Telesat also manages the operations of additional satellites for third parties. Privately held, Telesat's principal shareholders are Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Loral Space & Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: LORL).

About SSL
SSL has a long history of delivering reliable satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. As a leading provider of commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite operators to provide spacecraft for a broad range of services including television and radio distribution, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and mobile communications. Billions of people around the world depend on SSL satellites every day. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of Space Systems/Loral (SSL) with respect to future events and financial performance.  When used in this news release, the words "believes", "expects", "plans", "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "anticipates", "estimates", "project", "intend" or "outlook" or other variations of these words or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance; risks associated with satellite manufacturing, including competition, cyclicality of SSL's end-user markets, contractual risks, creditworthiness of customers, performance of suppliers and management of SSL's factory and personnel; risk associated with financial factors such as volatility in exchange rates, increases in interest rates, restrictions on access to capital, and swings in global financial markets; risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation, including export controls and economic sanctions; and other risks, including litigation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information contained in this news release reflects SSL's beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, SSL disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.

SOURCE: SSL

Media Contact: 
Wendy Lewis
SSL
[phone]