At the Paris Air Show today, Arianespace and
PanAmSat announced the signature of three contracts for the launch of
communications satellites for the North American market.
Launches on tap in 2002, 2003 and 2004
Galaxy 12 will be launched by an Ariane 5 or Ariane 4 at the end of 2002
from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
PAS Light 2 and 3 are scheduled for Ariane 5 launches during the second half
of 2003 and in 2004, respectively.
20 PanAmSat contracts
These are the 18th, 19th and 20th contracts that PanAmSat has awarded
Arianespace. The leader in the U.S. market, PanAmSat once again has
confirmed its confidence in the dependability of the Ariane launch system
with this latest order.
Because of its long experience in providing dual launches, Arianespace
provides all operators flexible and cost-competitive access to space for
their lighter satellites.
3 OSC geostationary satellites
All three satellites, Galaxy 12, PAS Light 2 and 3, will be built by Orbital
Sciences Corporation of Dulles, Virginia, using the Star 2 platform.
Weighing about 1,700 kg. at launch, they will be positioned at 99, 125 and
133 degrees West, respectively. Each is fitted with 20 C-band transponders,
and will help PanAmSat expand its telecommunications services throughout
North America.
