Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract by Rainbow DBS Company LLC, a
subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation , to build its next
five geostationary telecommunications satellites. Designated Rainbow Ka-1
through Rainbow Ka-5, and situated at their final orbital locations of 62W,
71W, 77W, 119W, and 129W degrees, the satellites will provide direct broadcast
services across the continental United States (CONUS). In addition, the most
western satellites at 119W and 129W degrees will provide service to Alaska and
Hawaii. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The flexible designs of the spacecraft payloads feature multiple Ka-band
spot beams as well as half-CONUS beams. Rainbow Ka-1 through Rainbow Ka-5 are
based on Lockheed Martin’s A2100AX satellite, with a predicted service life of
15 years.
“Rainbow Ka-1 through Rainbow Ka-5 represent a continuation of our
successful partnership with Rainbow DBS, for whom we built and launched
Rainbow 1, one of the world’s most powerful and technologically advanced spot
beam satellites,” said Ted Gavrilis, president, Lockheed Martin Commercial
Space Systems. “We are pleased to offer Rainbow DBS greatly enhanced channel
capacity using our highly reliable A2100 platform.”
“We are delighted to partner once again with Lockheed Martin on the
continued strategic evolution of VOOM, our satellite television service,” said
Tom Dolan, CEO of Rainbow Media Enterprises. “By utilizing the most
sophisticated Ka-Band technology, VOOM will continue to increase channel
capacity and further enhance delivery of both high-definition and
standard-definition programming across the United States, in step with
projected market demand.”
Lockheed Martin’s series of A2100 geostationary spacecraft are designed to
meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs ranging from high-power Ka, Ku
and C-band fixed satellite and direct broadcast services to high power mobile
satellite services using the L- and S-band frequency spectrum. The heritage
A2100’s modular design features flight-proven equipment, thus simplifying
construction, shortening delivery schedule and increasing on-orbit
reliability.
About VOOM and Rainbow DBS
VOOM, provided by Rainbow DBS, a subsidiary of Cablevision System
Corporation, is the first television service to provide a comprehensive array
of high-definition (HD) programming for the rapidly growing but underserved
HDTV audience. With a lineup of 39 HD channels, VOOM delivers more HD
programming than any other satellite or cable service provider. VOOM’s HD
lineup includes STARZ! HD, Encore HD, Showtime HD, Playboy Hot HD, ESPN HD,
HBO HDTV and Cinemax HDTV, as well as an exclusive package of brand-new,
commercial-free VOOM HD Originals such as WorldSport, Equator and Animania.
The service also includes 88 of the most popular cable channels in
standard-definition (SD), 18 digital music channels, and free over-the-air
digital broadcast channels in HD, where available. VOOM is offered across the
continental United States through local Sears retailers; at BrandsMart USA
stores; at Electronics Expo stores; through leading online retailer,
Crutchfield Corporation; and through O’Rourke Sales Company’s independent
electronics retailers with approximately 10,000 locations in all 50 states.
Customers can also purchase the service by calling 1-800-GET-VOOM or by
visiting http://www.voom.com .
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000
people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems,
products and services. The Corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.
Media Contacts: Dee Valleras, +1-215-497-4185, or dee.valleras@lmco.com
For more information about Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, see
our web site at http://www.lmcommercialspace.com
