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

PALO ALTO, CA, Oct. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that a satellite designed and built for Intelsat, was launched yesterday and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan.  The satellite, Intelsat 30, deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.  It will begin firing its main thruster later today in order to start maneuvering into geosynchronous orbit.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141015/152430 )

Intelsat 30 is a 20-kilowatt class Ku- and C-band satellite. The Ku-band payload, identified as DLA-1, is designed to provide distribution services for DIRECTV Latin America in South America and the Caribbean.  The C-band portion enhances Intelsat's existing C-band service infrastructure serving Latin America. The satellite will be positioned at 95 degrees West longitude where it will be co-located with Intelsat's Galaxy 3C.

"We were honored and privileged to have Intelsat's trust to design and build this powerful satellite," said John Celli, president of SSL. "SSL has worked together with both Intelsat and DIRECTV for many years, every time with a passion for excellence, quality and reliability. I would like to thank Intelsat, DIRECTV, Arianespace and the hundreds of engineers and technicians at SSL who helped make this highly sophisticated satellite a great success."

Intelsat 30 is SSL's eleventh 20-kilowatt satellite to be placed into orbit.  It is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 platform, which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances, including electric propulsion.  Intelsat 30 is SSL's 15th satellite with electric propulsion to be placed into orbit and the company currently has 11 additional satellites with electric propulsion under construction.  Intelsat 30 is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.  With this launch, there are 77 SSL-built GEO satellites currently on orbit.

About Intelsat

Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) is the world's leading provider of satellite services, delivering high performance connectivity solutions for media, fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure, enterprise and government and military applications for 50 years. Intelsat's satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video and broadband services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and mobile broadband access, with Intelsat, envision your future network, connect using our leading satellite technology and transform your opportunities. Envision…Connect…Transform…with Intelsat, celebrating 50 years of space leadership in 2014. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.

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