AMC-10 SATELLITE GOOD TO GO FOR FEBRUARY 5 LAUNCH
New Satellite To Anchor HD-PRIME ö Americaās Cable Neighborhood
Princeton, NJ February 2, 2004 The AMERICOM-10 (AMC-10) satellite of SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL Company (Luxembourg and Frankfurt Exchange: SESG), has been fully integrated into the fairing of the AtlasIIAS launch vehicle and is ready for the scheduled early evening February 5 lift-off. The A2100 model spacecraft was built by Lockheed Martin and is being launched by International Launch Services (ILS) into its operating orbital position of 135 degrees West longitude.
The launch of AMC-10 will also inaugurate the HD-PRIME Americaās Cable Neighborhood brand and advertising campaign. AMC-10 and its identical twin, AMC-11 scheduled for launch in May, make up HD-PRIME, AMERICOMās most important cable neighborhood that features a marquee list of cable programmers. Many of AMC-10ās customers will take advantage of the satelliteās technical advances to distribute an array of digital services including high definition channels.
?SES AMERICOM pioneered the distribution of cable programming via satellite and we are reinforcing our leadership with this state of the art satellite designed with our customerās next generation services in mind,? said Dean Olmstead, President & CEO, SES AMERICOM. ?Our HD-PRIME brand reflects our commitment to customers, our investment in innovation as well as our reputation for unparalleled reliability and reach.?
Dozens of customers scheduled to use the new satellite along with SES AMERICOM, ASTRA and GLOBAL staffs will be gathered at Cape Canaveral viewing facilities along with insurers, press and other invited guests, to watch what is expected to be a spectacular lift-off. Broadcast of the launch beginning at 5:15 p.m. (ET) is available via satellite in C-band and Ku-band via AMC-9 located at 85 degrees West. In addition, a webcast will be available at www.ilslaunch.com.
The Satellite and the HDPRIME Neighborhood
AMC-10, an all C-band satellite, will operate from 135 degrees W.L., replacing the Satcom C-4 spacecraft. The just-launched AMC-10 is the first of two state of the art satellites that make up SES AMERICOMās HD PRIME neighborhood. The second satellite, AMC-11, is scheduled for launch in May and will reside at 131 degrees W.L., replacing Satcom C-3. The two A2100 spacecraft have been optimized for next generation programming services, including high definition channels. Each of the 24 transponders is supported by at least one 20 watt SSPA, delivering almost a 20% increase in power over their predecessors. In addition, a higher level of on-board redundancy plus an in-orbit protection satellite, AMC-7 currently operating at 137 degrees W.L. will protect the cable programming services.
Cable programmers can use AMC-10 and its HD-PRIME partner satellite, AMC-11, to reach over 80 million homes. A diverse mix of programming producers are already scheduled to use the new satellites, including Viacom, A&E Television Networks, C-SPAN, Court TV, Crown Media, Discovery Communications, E! Networks, iN DEMAND, Lifetime Entertainment, NBC, QVC, Scripps Networks, and The Weather Channel. AMC-10 is scheduled for full service operation by early May.
About International Launch Services
ILS is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corp. in the United States, manufacturer of the Atlas rocket, and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center of Russia, builder of the Proton rocket. ILS provides launch services on the Atlas and Proton vehicles to customers worldwide.
About Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems
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 Corporation (NYSE: LMT). Lockheed Martin has a 41-year heritage of building reliable spacecraft for commercial and military customers, having launched more than 875 spacecraft and clocking over 1500 years of on-orbit performance experience.
About SES AMERICOM
The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services. Established in 1973 with its first satellite circuit for the U.S. Department of Defense, the company currently operates a fleet of 11 spacecraft in orbital positions providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family (Luxembourg and Frankfurt exchanges: SESG), AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. In 2001 the company established AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. Government. In 2003, SES AMERICOM formed WORLDSAT, a wholly owned subsidiary with satellites operating in 5 orbital positions covering Asia, and the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean regions, and connecting premier regional satellite fleets. With its combined operations, SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, Internet service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient communication and content distribution solutions.
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Contact: Monica Morgan
SES AMERICOM
+1-609-987-4143
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