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Loral to build Galaxy 18 SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL NEWS RELEASE Posted: February 23, 2005 Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) today announced that it has been selected by PanAmSat Corporation, Wilton, Conn., to build Galaxy 18, a new Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) satellite that will deliver 10 kilowatts of power over a 15-year lifetime. "We are pleased to once again be selected by PanAmSat to build an important piece of its global network," said Patrick DeWitt, president, Space Systems/Loral. "Because of SS/L's cost-effective integration of advanced satellite features with high performance, space-proven technology, PanAmSat will be able to deliver highly competitive and reliable services to their customers." The satellite's hybrid communications payload will carry a total of 48 operating transponders, including 24 high-power Ku-band and 24 C-band transponders. The satellite is designed to operate from PanAmSat's 123 degrees West orbital location. The contract is subject to standard bankruptcy court approval. When delivered in 2007, Galaxy 18 will become PanAmSat's newest satellite covering the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, in addition to Canada and Mexico, and will be the fifth spacecraft built for PanAmSat by SS/L. Galaxy 16 is also under construction at SS/L's facility in Palo Alto, California and is planned for delivery in 2006. The satellite is based on SS/L's flight-proven, 1300, geostationary satellite platform, which has a long and proven record of reliable operation. Currently, there are 48 SS/L 1300 satellites on orbit, performing a variety of critical communications functions. Through its owned and operated fleet of 23 satellites, PanAmSat is a leading global provider of video, broadcasting and network distribution and delivery services. In total, the company's in-orbit fleet is capable of reaching over 98 percent of the world's population through cable television systems, broadcast affiliates, direct-to-home operators, Internet service providers and telecommunications companies. In addition, PanAmSat supports the largest concentration of satellite-based business networks in the U.S., as well as specialized communications services in remote areas throughout the world. Space Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (OTCBB: LRLSQ), is a premier designer, manufacturer, and integrator of powerful satellites and satellite systems. SS/L also provides a range of related services that include mission control operations and procurement of launch services. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., the company has an international base of commercial and governmental customers whose applications include broadband digital communications, direct-to-home broadcast, defense communications, environmental monitoring, and air traffic control. SS/L satellites have amassed more than 1,100 years of reliable on-orbit service. SS/L is ISO 9001:2000 certified. Loral Space & Communications is a satellite communications company. In addition to Space Systems/Loral, through its Skynet subsidiary Loral owns and operates a fleet of telecommunications satellites used to broadcast video entertainment programming, and for broadband data transmission, Internet services and other value-added communications services. |
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