EchoStar IX/Telstar 13, a powerful multi-band
satellite built for EchoStar Communications Corporation and Loral Skynet by
Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), was successfully launched yesterday at 11:31 pm
EDT. The satellite, to be positioned at 121 degrees West longitude, was sent
into space from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned on the Equator in
the Pacific Ocean, on a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket.

In a unique satellite sharing arrangement, EchoStar will operate the Ku- and
Ka-band payloads as EchoStar IX; Loral Skynet, a subsidiary of Loral Space &
Communications, will initially own and operate the C-band payload as Telstar
13. In July, Loral reached a definitive agreement to sell Telstar 13, along
with five other North American telecommunications satellites to Intelsat,
Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda.

The spacecraft’s Ku-band fixed satellite services (FSS) transponders are
designed to enhance EchoStar’s current U.S. DISH Network satellite TV
service. EchoStar IX will join EchoStar’s current fleet of eight satellites
that provide DISH Network customers with hundreds of all-digital television
channels, including interactive TV services, sports programming, high
definition television and international programming.

The spacecraft is also equipped with the first U.S. commercial Ka-band
spot-beam payloads. The successful launch of EchoStar IX brings EchoStar’s
fleet to nine satellites, including three satellites previously built by
SS/L.

Telstar 13’s 24 C-band FSS transponders operating at 36 MHz will provide
Skynet’s cable programming customers with coverage throughout North America,
including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Skynet’s current satellite serving
cable programmers, Telstar 7, is operating nearby at 127 degrees West
longitude. Together the satellites form a very attractive platform to cable
programmers looking for the benefits of a strong neighborhood and
restoration solutions.

"Building this satellite has been a tremendous success for all parties
involved," said Patrick DeWitt, SS/L’s president and chief operating
officer. "Our close relationships with EchoStar and Skynet have been an
important part of SS/L’s success, and our shared commitment to quality
remains our top priority."

Built at Space Systems/Loral’s Palo Alto, Calif., facility, EchoStar
IX/Telstar 13 is based on SS/L’s space-proven 1300 geostationary satellite
platform, which has an excellent record of reliable operation. The 1300 is
designed to achieve a long life, in this case 15 years, excellent
station-keeping and orbital stability by using bipropellant propulsion and
momentum-bias attitude control systems. A system of high-efficiency solar
arrays and batteries provide uninterrupted electrical power. In all, SS/L
satellites have amassed nearly 1,000 years of on-orbit service.

On July 15, 2003, Loral announced that it had reached a definitive agreement
to sell its North American telecommunications satellites to Intelsat, Ltd.
In conjunction with this sale, Loral and certain of its subsidiaries filed
voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code. The transaction with Intelsat is expected to close within
four to six months, pending Bankruptcy Court and regulatory approval.

After this transaction, Loral Skynet will continue to operate an integrated
fixed satellite and network services business using its fleet of five
telecommunications satellites and its established VSAT/fiber global network
infrastructure.

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH), through its DISH
Network(TM), is a leading U.S. provider of satellite television
entertainment services with 8.53 million customers. DISH Network provides
advanced digital satellite television services to the home, including
hundreds of video, audio and data channels, personal video recording, HDTV,
sports and international programming, professional installation and 24-hour
customer service. For more information, visit DISH Network at
www.dishnetwork.com.

A pioneer in the satellite industry, Loral Skynet continues to deliver the
superior service quality and range of satellite solutions that have made it
an industry leader for more than 40 years. With its fleet of satellites and
its established hybrid VSAT/fiber global network infrastructure, Skynet
offers a unique, single source for all broadcast, data network, Internet
access and IP needs. Headquartered in Bedminster, New Jersey, Skynet is
dedicated to providing secure, high-quality connectivity and communications.
For more information, visit www.loralskynet.com.

Space Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (OTC
BB:LRLSQ), is a premier designer, manufacturer, and integrator of powerful
satellites and satellite systems. SS/L also provides a range of related
services that include mission control operations and procurement of launch
services. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., the company has an international base
of commercial and governmental customers whose applications include
broadband digital communications, direct-to-home broadcast, defense
communications, environmental monitoring, and air traffic control. For more
information, visit www.ssloral.com.

Loral Space & Communications is a high technology company that concentrates
primarily on satellite manufacturing and satellite-based services. For more
information, visit Loral’s web site at www.loral.com.

# # #

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, Loral Space &
Communications Ltd. or its representatives have made or may make
forward-looking statements, orally or in writing, which may be included in,
but are not limited to, various filings made by the company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases or oral statements made
with the approval of an authorized executive officer of the company. Actual
results could differ materially from those projected or suggested in any
forward-looking statements as a result of a wide variety of factors and
conditions, which have been described in the section of the company’s annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, entitled
"Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results," and the company’s other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The reader is
specifically referred to these documents.

Contact:

John McCarthy
Loral Space & Communications
212/338-5345