SSL-built satellite for DIRECTV begins post-launch maneuvers according to plan

PALO ALTO, CA, Dec. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that a satellite designed and built for DIRECTV, was launched on Saturday and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan.  The satellite, DIRECTV 14, deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.  It began firing its main thruster early this morning in order to start maneuvering into geosynchronous orbit.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141203/162072)

"It takes more than a million man hours of dedication and hard work to build a complex satellite such as DIRECTV 14," said John Celli, president of SSL. "We would like to thank DIRECTV, Arianespace, and the many SSL employees whose dedicated efforts helped achieve the goal of a satellite that will advance the future of Ultra HD."

DIRECTV 14 is a powerful 20-kilowatt class Ka-band and reverse-band digital broadcast satellite that will be used to provide Ultra HD and other new consumer services.  It was designed with a very advanced beam forming network to provide service across the U.S. including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.  The satellite will be positioned at 99 degrees West longitude.

DIRECTV 14 is SSL's twelfth 20-kilowatt satellite to be placed into orbit and the sixth SSL-built satellite in DIRECTV's fleet.  It is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 platform, which provides high-power and the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The satellite is designed to provide service for 15 years or more. With this launch, there are 78 SSL-built GEO satellites currently on orbit.

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, mobile communications, and Earth observation. Billions of people around the world depend on SSL satellites every day. For more information, visit www.sslmda.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