Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) has announced that construction of two A2100 geosynchronous satellites is underway for SES AMERICOM, Inc., based on a contract awarded in 2000. The Ku/Ka-band satellites, designated AMC-15 and AMC-16, will provide distribution of video channels as well as broadband data and internet services across North America.

Artist's concept of the AMC-15 and 16 satellite design. Photo: Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems

"We are extremely pleased that SES AMERICOM has selected Lockheed Martin to provide the AMC-15 and 16 communications satellites," said Ted Gavrilis, president, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. "SES AMERICOM is a long-time valued customer and we look forward to continuing our strong relationship."

The new satellites will be the fourth and fifth A2100 series spacecraft currently on order by AMERICOM; in addition, the company has eight A2100s operating in its current fleet. A2100 satellites are produced at Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems facilities in Newtown, Pa. and integrated in Sunnyvale, Calif.

The AMC-15 communications payload features twenty four 36 Mhz Ku-band transponders and intermediate frequency (IF) processed Ka-band spot beams which will be deployed in a pattern taking advantage of frequency re-use while eliminating interference between and among the beams. The satellite is expected to be operational in 3rd Quarter 2004. AMC-16 is being developed as an identical ground spare. The new hybrid Ku/Ka-band spacecraft will expand SES AMERICOM's fleet of satellites, which provide global distribution of cable, broadcast television and radio, telecommunications services, business television and broadband data.

Dean Olmstead, president and CEO of SES AMERICOM, said, "We are looking forward to the deployment of our first satellites offering Ka-band services in the U.S. and have great confidence in the A2100 spacecraft, which has demonstrated outstanding performance and reliability."

The A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft is designed to meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs ranging from Ka-band/Broadband services, fixed satellite services in a hybrid Ku- and C-band payload configuration, to high-power direct broadcast services using the Ku-band frequency spectrum. The A2100's modular design features a reduction in parts, simplifying construction, increasing on-orbit reliability and reducing weight and cost. The A2100 bus is produced entirely from composite materials.

With over twenty-five years' experience, SES AMERICOM, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer and leading provider of global satellite communications services currently providing capacity on 16 spacecraft capable of serving the Americas, Europe, the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean Regions, and Asia.

As a member of the SES GLOBAL family, AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. SES AMERICOM's key customers include ABC Radio Networks, AT&T Alascom, British Telecom, Deutsche Welle, Discovery, Fox, TV Guide/Gemstar, Gannett, Merlin, NBC, the New York Times, NHK, PaxNet, PBS, TELE Greenland, TV Europa, TimeWarner/Turner Broadcasting, and Viacom.

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems markets, designs and builds geostationary and non-geostationary telecommunications and remote sensing satellites for customers worldwide. LMCSS is an operating unit of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, one of the core business areas of the Lockheed Martin Corp. Lockheed Martin has a 41-year heritage of building reliable spacecraft for commercial and military customers, having launched more than 875 spacecraft and clocking nearly 1,500 years of on-orbit performance experience.