SSL Provides Early Delivery of Multi-mission Satellite for Hispasat Group

Amazonas 3 Arrives at European Spaceport in Kourou for Launch Preparations, Includes First Ka-band Payload to Operate in Latin America

PALO ALTO, CA, Jan. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Space Systems/Loral (SSL), the world's leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that the Amazonas 3 multi-mission satellite, designed and built for HISPASAT Group, has arrived at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, where it will be launched aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle by Arianespace. Amazonas 3, which was completed and delivered ahead of schedule, includes the first Ka-band payload for broadband service in Latin America.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130114/MM41534)

"HISPASAT and SSL share a commitment to expanding communications access around the world," said John Celli, president of SSL. "We have been gratified to work with Hispasat to build Amazonas 3, which is a complex, multi-mission satellite that will help open the door to the world of interactive services and multimedia applications via satellite in regions of economic growth and development."

Amazonas 3 is designed to provide a wide range of telecommunications services including direct-to-home television (DTH), corporate fixed and mobile telephone networks, and broadband in the Americas, Europe, and North Africa. When launched, the satellite will be positioned at the orbital location of 61 degrees West longitude.

"With the early delivery of Amazonas 3, SSL has helped bring Hispasat closer to its goal of providing the main communications bridge between the European and American continents," said Carlos Espinós, chief executive officer of HISPASAT, "When launched, the satellite will bring great opportunity for innovation and growth in Latin America with its broadband payload."

Amazonas 3 has 33 Ku-band and 19 C-band transponders, and 9 Ka-band spot beams. The satellite is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 space-proven platform, which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The spacecraft is designed to deliver service for 15 years or more.

About the HISPASAT Group
The HISPASAT Group is comprised of companies with a presence in Spain as well as in Latin America, where its Brazilian affiliate HISPAMAR operates the Amazonas fleet of satellites. The Group is leader in the broadcast and distribution of content in Spanish and Portuguese, including the transmission of important Direct to Home (DTH) and High Definition Television digital platforms. HISPASAT is one of the most important companies in its sector in the world by revenue and the main communications bridge between Europe and America.

About SSL
SSL has a long history of delivering reliable satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. As the world's 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
Space Systems/Loral
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