|
GE Americom Announces GE-7 & GE-8 Satellites to Join Fleet
More Powerful Spacecraft to Replace Satcoms C-1 & C-5
PRINCETON, NJ, April 28, 1999
GE American Communications, Inc. (GE Americom), a subsidiary of GE Capital, announced today that two new satellites, GE-7 and GE-8, are being readied to join its domestic fleet. The two all C-band A2100A satellites are being built by Lockheed Martin and are to be launched by Arianespace.
According to Carl Capista, Vice President Satellite Services - North America, "To our current and future customers, GE-7 and GE-8 represent a significant upgrade of our fleet. These state-of-the-art satellites will provide customers increased power, coverage, redundancies and reliability, especially for the many customers who will rely on GE-7 as an in-orbit spare to backup their protected services."
GE-7 is to be located at 137° W.L. where it will replace Satcom C-1 and provide fifty-state, Canadian and Caribbean coverage. The spacecraft is expected to be launched and operational by the second quarter, 2000. GE-7 is technically superior to C-1 with its increased coverage, redundancies and power in its twenty-four 36 MHz 20 watt transponders. While GE-7 is expected to serve primarily as an in-orbit spare, the spacecraft will also provide both analog and digital video services and distribute cable programming.
GE-8 is to be located nearby in the 139° W.L. orbital slot and will also provide fifty-state, Canadian and Caribbean coverage. GE-8 is scheduled for launch and operation by first quarter, 2001 and will replace Satcom C-5. GE-8 is technically identical to GE-7, featuring twenty-four 36 MHz 20-watt transponders. GE-8 will succeed C-5 as the home of America's premier neighborhood for the distribution of radio network programming in addition to providing carriage for data and private networks.
With over twenty years' experience, GE American Communications, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer and a leading provider of global satellite communications solutions. These solutions primarily provide the distribution of broadcast and cable television programming and digital/Broadband Data Services over satellite. GE Americom currently operates twelve satellites providing satellite-based solutions to North America. In Europe, GE-1E provides high-powered Ku-band service for European and Middle Eastern television markets. With the launch of GE-4 and as an owner of Argentine satellite operator NahuelSAt, GE Americom is committed to the delivery of satellite-based communications services throughout South and Latin America. And with the launch of its first Asian satellite, GE-1A, GE Americom's satellite interests will reach more than 90% of the world's population. Some of GE Americom's key international customers include Viacom, Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting, Discovery, NBC, NHK, Disney, Deutsche Welle and Merlin.
GE Capital, with assets of over US$300 billion, is a global, diversified financial services company with 28 specialized businesses. A wholly-owned subsidiary of General Electric Company, GE Capital, based in Stamford, CT., provides equipment management, mid-market and specialized financing, specialty insurance and a variety of consumer services, such as car leasing, home mortgages and credit cards, to businesses and individuals around the world. GE is a diversified manufacturing, technology and services company with operations worldwide.
Contact: Monica Morgan
609-987-4143
|
