Arianespace today announced three new contracts
for Ariane launches of the DIRECTV-7S, iPSTAR-1 and STAR ONE C1
satellites. These transactions, which represent the bulk of orders
that were open to commercial bids since the beginning of 2002, confirm
the competitiveness of Arianespace’s launch services.

"We are pleased that despite the market downturn, we were able to sign
these three orders – two of which are with repeat customers, and the
third involving a new operator," said Arianespace Chairman and CEO
Jean-Marie Luton. "These customers’ choice underscores the ability of
Arianespace to make competitive offers, which are backed by the
success and efficiency of our launches. I would like to express my
thanks to DirecTV and Shin for their renewed confidence, and to Star
One for our new partnership."

DIRECTV-7S: 4th Launch for DIRECTV

After the successful Ariane launches of DIRECTV-1, DIRECTV-3 and
DIRECTV-4S, the premier American direct-to-home television provider
DIRECTV has again chosen to launch its satellite with Arianespace.

DIRECTV-7S will operate from 119 degrees West longitude but is also
capable of operating from orbital 101 degrees West longitude, the
primary orbital slot for DIRECTV, and will provide customers in the
United States with local channel service to additional markets and new
services. The Space Systems/Loral-built satellite will operate with 37
spot-beam transponders for regional broadcasting and 7 super-high
power beam transponders for national coverage from the 119 degrees
West longitude location. DIRECTV-7S’ launch is scheduled for early
fourth quarter 2003 and will have a separated mass of 5,550 kg.

iPSTAR-1, a fourth launch for Thailand

iPSTAR-1 will be the fourth satellite launched by Arianespace for
private Thai operator Shin Satellite Public Company Limited (formerly
Shinawatra Satellite). It follows Thaicom 1 (orbited in December
1993), Thaicom 2 (launched in October 1994) and Thaicom 3 in April
1997.

Built on a new-generation Space Systems/Loral FS 1300 platform,
iPSTAR-1 will weigh over 6,700 kg. at launch. It will be positioned at
120 degrees East, and will mainly provide broadband Internet and
multimedia services. Its footprint will cover not just Thailand, but
all countries in the Asia-Pacific region. iPSTAR-1’s launch is
scheduled for early 2004 on an Ariane 5 heavy-lift vehicle. With its
5-meter diameter fairing, Ariane 5 is the only commercial launch
vehicle in operation today capable of launching such hefty 5-ton class
satellites.

STAR ONE C1 : a 7th launch for Brazil

STAR ONE, a leading operator of satellite capacity, based in Brazil,
is a subsidiary of Embratel in which SES Astra holds 20% of the
capital. This spacecraft, also named Simon Bolivar F1, is the result
of the cooperation between Brazil and 5 Andean countries (Colombia,
Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela). With this program STAR ONE will
become a regional operator and one of the most important provider of
telecommunications services for Latin America. STAR ONE C1 will be
lofted by an Ariane 5 in the fourth quarter of 2004 from Europe’s
Spaceport in French Guiana. It will be positioned in geostationary
orbit at 67 degrees West, above the Atlantic Ocean. Built by ALCATEL
SPACE in Cannes, France, this Spacebus 3000-based platform will be
optimized to provide direct television, telecommunications and
Internet services. With a liftoff mass of about 4,100 kg., STAR ONE
C1’s 44 Ku-band transponders will provide coverage over South America
and the area south of Florida.

More About Star One C1 and Arianespace

STAR ONE C1 will be lofted by an Ariane 5 in the fourth quarter of
2004 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. It will be positioned
in geostationary orbit at 67 degrees West, above the Atlantic Ocean.

Following the contract signature, Jean-Marie Luton, Chairman and CEO
of Arianespace said: "I am pleased to sign such a contract with STAR
ONE of Brazil, South America’s leading operator. All Brazilian
satellites have been launched by Arianespace. This continued
confidence on the part of Brazil brings Arianespace further
recognition of the quality and excellence of our Ariane launch
service. Arianespace is proud to be associated with the development of
telecommunications in South America. By choosing Arianespace, Star One
has made a highly professional choice, confirming a worldwide
preference "

ARIANESPACE

Out of the 215 commercial satellites in operation today, 137
spacecraft, that is about 64 %, have been launched by Arianespace.
This performance is confirmed year after year, Arianespace having in
2001 launched 11 of 16 commercial satellites and signed 13 contracts
out of the 21 open to commercial bids.

STAR ONE

STAR ONE , a leading operator of satellite capacity, based in Brazil,
is a subsidiary of Embratel in which SES Astra has 20% of the capital.
This satellite, also named as Simon Bolivar F1, is the result of the
cooperation between Brazil and 5 Andean countries (Colombia, Peru,
Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela). With this program STAR ONE becomes a
regional operator and one of the most important provider of
telecommunications services for Latin America.

ALCATEL SPACE

Built by ALCATEL SPACE in Cannes (France), this satellite based on a
Spacebus 3000 platform will be optimized to provide Direct television,
telecommunications and Internet services. With a mass at lift-off of
about 4,100 kg, it will provide 44 equivalent 36 Mhz active Ku-band
transponders with coverage over South America and South of Florida .
STAR ONE C1 has a contractual lifetime of 15 years.