Telesat successfully launches Nimiq 5 broadcast satellite

    
    All Ku-band Payload to Support Growing Demand for Direct-to-Home TV
    Services in North America
    

BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan , Sept. 18 /CNW/ - Telesat, the world's fourth largest fixed satellite services operator, has successfully launched its state-of-the-art Nimiq 5 satellite. Nimiq 5 will utilize 32 high-powered Ku-band transponders to deliver a wide range of high definition and direct-to-home television services across a broad footprint covering Canada and the United States .

"The launch of Nimiq 5 underscores Telesat's commitment to bring the most advanced video programming to North American consumers," said Dan Goldberg , President and CEO of Telesat. "Nimiq 5 will contribute significant revenue and EBITDA to our results and builds upon our already strong relationship with EchoStar. We greatly value the trust EchoStar has placed in Telesat and look forward to delivering the quality and reliability over the life of Nimiq 5 they have come to expect from Telesat."

Nimiq 5 was launched on an ILS Proton Breeze M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Republic of Kazakhstan at 1:19 a.m. today local time. International Launch Services (ILS) provided mission and launch services. The satellite separated from the upper stage of the rocket and the signal was acquired by Telesat's tracking station in Perth , Australia just over nine hours later.

Manufactured by Space Systems/Loral, Nimiq 5 will utilize SS/L's space-proven 1300 platform and enter into commercial service at 72.7 degrees West after it has successfully completed orbit raising and comprehensive in-orbit testing.

Nimiq 5 has a solar array span of 26 meters, an expected 15 year mission life and a launch mass of approximately 4745 kg.

About Telesat (www.telesat.com)

Headquartered in Ottawa , Canada , with offices and facilities around the world, Telesat is the fourth-largest fixed satellite services operator. The company provides reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions to broadcast, telecom, corporate and government customers. Telesat now has a global state-of-the-art fleet of 12 satellites, with another under construction, and manages the operations of 12 additional satellites for third parties. Telesat is privately held. Its principal shareholders are Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Loral Space & Communications Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements Safe Harbour

This news release contains statements that are not based on historical fact and are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words "scheduled for", "planned", "will", or "expected" 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. Detailed information about some of the known risks and uncertainties is included in the "Risk Factors" section of Telesat Canada's final prospectus filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 29, 2009 as well as Telesat Canada's other filings with the SEC which can be obtained on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Readers are specifically referred to those documents. 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 and risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. The information contained in this news release reflects Telesat's beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Telesat disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.

    
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For further information: Vanessa Brûlé, Telesat, [phone] ext. 2407, [email protected]