Paris, September 29, 2005 – Alcatel Alenia Space announced today a contract with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), the leader in the Israeli aerospace industry, to supply Amos-3 communications satellite’s payload. IAI is building the satellite for Israeli operator, Space-Communication Ltd (Spacecom). Amos-3 is the first major contract announced by the newly formed company Alcatel Alenia Space.
Amos-3 is slated for launch at the end of 2007, allowing Spacecom Ltd. to replace the Amos-1 geostationary communications satellite launched in 1996 and which mission will end in 2008. AMOS-3 will also expand the operator’s range of Ku-band services and initiate Ka-band service to provide high-quality communications and broadcasting transmission services covering the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and parts of the Americas.
This contract covers the delivery to IAI of a communication payload with Ku and Ka-band transponders (including a four-antenna system) as well as a Telecommand and Ranging system by beginning of 2007. The payload will be assemble in Alcatel Alenia Space plant in Toulouse with part of its equipments provided by its site in Rome.
Following the contract signature, Pascale Sourisse, Chairman and CEO of Alcatel Alenia Space, pointed out that “We are delighted to be awarded the Amos-3 payload contract, an achievement showing the renewed confidence of IAI towards our company after the two successful previous cooperations on Amos-1 and Amos-2 contracts whose payloads were respectively provided by Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio”.
AMOS-3 is the fourth commercial telecom contract announced by Alcatel in 2005. Other contracts were StarOne C2, Alphabus and Thaicom 5.
About Alcatel Alenia Space
Alcatel Alenia Space is the european leader in satellite systems, at the forefront of orbit infrastructures Created in July 2005, the company brings together the vast experience and know-how of Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio to form a new leading force in European space technology. Alcatel Alenia Space represents a worldwide standard for space development that impacts everybody’s future: from navigation to telecommunications, from meteorology to environmental monitoring, from defence to science and observation. An affiliate of Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) (67%) and Finmeccanica (Milan:SIFI.MI, FNC.IM) (33%), Alcatel Alenia Space generated an estimated turnover of 1.8 billion euros with around 7,200 people in 2004.
About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
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