SSL-built multi-mission satellite for Eutelsat and Es'hailSat begins post-launch maneuvers according to plan

Following successful August 29 launch, EUTELSAT 25B/ Es'hail 1 deploys solar arrays and continues progress to geostationary orbit

PALO ALTO, CA, Aug. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that the EUTELSAT 25B/ Es'hail 1 satellite, designed and built for Eutelsat Communications and Es'hailSat, 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 an Ariane 5 launch vehicle provided by Arianespace from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The satellite will begin firing its apogee engine later today in order to start maneuvering into geosynchronous orbit.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130830/TO759)

"It takes more than a million man hours of dedication and hard work to build a complex satellite such as EUTELSAT 25B/ Es'hail 1," said John Celli, President of SSL. "It is always inspiring to see the product of this effort launched and performing on orbit. I'd like to offer my congratulations to Eutelsat and Es'hailSat on the realization of their vision for a new satellite to serve the Middle East and North Africa."

Based on the SSL 1300 platform, the satellite is designed to provide television broadcasting, telecommunications and government services in the Middle East and North Africa via a Ku-band payload. In addition, it has Ka-band capability to open business opportunities for both organizations.

"We are very pleased to see EUTELSAT 25B/Es'hail 1 performing its maneuvers as planned," said Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat. "The satellite will help us meet the growing demand for capacity in regions experiencing dynamic growth of digital services."

"It has been a very exciting experience to see our first satellite successfully launched," said Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari, CEO of Es'hailSat. "I would like to thank all of our colleagues who have worked together to make this satellite a success."

The satellite will provide service from 25.5 degrees East longitude and is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.

About Eutelsat Communications

With capacity commercialised on 31 satellites delivering reach of  Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, significant parts of the Americas and the Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading satellite operators. As of 30 June 2013, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 4,600 television channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV contribution, corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband markets. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ over 780 commercial, technical and operational professionals from 30 countries. www.eutelsat.com

For further information

About Es'hailSat

Es'hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company was established in 2010.  Based in Doha, Qatar, the company will own and operate satellites to serve broadcasters, businesses and governments.  Es'hail 1, which shares a spacecraft platform with the European satellite operator Eutelsat, was successfully launched on 29^th August 2013. The satellite will provide television, voice, Internet, corporate and government services across the Middle East and North Africa region and beyond.  Es'hail 2, is currently under development and will be located at the 26 degrees East TV broadcasting hotspot.

www.eshailsat.qa

Contact:

Melanie Dickie
Tel: +974 66 27 23 50
Email: [email protected]

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