NEWTOWN, Pa., October 11, 2004 — The AMC-15 telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for SES AMERICOM of Princeton, NJ, is ready for launch Oct. 15, 2004 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Proton/Breeze M launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services, a Lockheed Martin joint venture.
AMC-15 is the 25th A2100 delivered to satellite operators around the world and the 10th A2100 delivered to SES AMERICOM. AMC-15 features one of America’s first payloads operating at the Ka-band frequency carrying 12 125-MHz Ka-band spot beams along with 24 36-MHz transponders of Ku-band capacity. AMERICOM has an agreement with EchoStar Communications, Inc., a leading U.S. direct broadcast system operator, to use both payloads on AMC-15.
AMC-15 is one of four Lockheed Martin-built satellites ILS is launching in 2004 to expand SES AMERICOM’s world-wide fleet of satellites, which provide global distribution of cable, broadcast television and radio programming, mobile communications, business television, broadband data and telecommunications services. AMC-10 and AMC-11 were successfully launched on Atlas IIAS vehicles in February and May 2004, and AMC-16 is scheduled to be launched on an Atlas V in December 2004. Based on the award-winning A2100 satellite series manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, Newtown, Pa., AMC-15 has a design life of 15 years.
The Lockheed Martin A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft series is designed to meet a wide variety of commercial and government telecommunications needs ranging from Ka-band/broadband services and fixed satellite services in C-band and Ku-band payload configurations, to high-power direct broadcast services using the Ku-band frequency spectrum and S-band mobile satellite services. The A2100’s modular design features a reduction in parts, simplified construction, increased on-orbit reliability and reduced weight and cost.
In recognition of the A2100’s reliability, Lockheed Martin received a 2003 award for “Product of the Year,” from Frost & Sullivan, an independent research company. Calling it “the most reliable and efficient of its class,” Frost & Sullivan recognized the Lockheed Martin-built A2100 satellite platform for its “outstanding on-orbit reliability record since it was first offered in 1996.” In a recent analysis of satellite bus reliability, Frost & Sullivan concluded that “the A2100 (is) the most reliable satellite now available for a majority of satellite applications.”
About SES AMERICOM
The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services. Established in 1973 with its first satellite circuit for the U.S. Department of Defense, the company currently operates a fleet of 16 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family (Euronext Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges: SESG), SES AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. In 2001, the company established AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. government. In 2003, SES AMERICOM formed WORLDSAT, a wholly owned subsidiary that markets capacity on four satellites covering Asia, and the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean regions, and connecting premier regional satellite fleets. With its combined operations, SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, Internet service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient communication and content distribution solutions.
About International Launch Services (ILS)
ILS is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin, which builds the Atlas rockets, and Russian rocket builder Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. ILS markets and manages the missions on the Atlas rocket in the United States and on the Proton rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. ILS was formed in 1995, and is based in McLean, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C.
ILS has established itself as the indisputable launch services leader by offering the industry’s two best launch systems: Atlas and Proton. With a remarkable launch rate of 66 missions since 2000, the Atlas and Proton launch vehicles have consistently demonstrated the reliability and flexibility that have made them the vehicles of choice. Since the beginning of 2003, ILS has signed more new commercial contracts than all its competitors combined. For more information, visit www.ilslaunch.com .
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.
Contact:
Dee Valleras, 215-497-4185; e-mail, dee.valleras@lmco.com
