First Order from Malaysian Operator is Company’s Fourth Geostationary Satellite Order in 2005
Orbital Sciences Corporation announced today that MEASAT Satellite Systems (MSE: MEASAT) of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has signed a contract to purchase one geosynchronous (GEO) communications satellite from the company. The satellite, which will be based on Orbital’s industry-leading STAR(TM) satellite platform, will be called MEASAT-1R and will be launched into a Malaysian orbital slot at 91.5 degrees East Longitude over Southeast Asia. The launch of the new spacecraft is scheduled for September 2007.
“Once again, our smaller-sized STAR(TM) GEO satellite platform has proved to be the right fit for an important satellite operator in Asia,” said Dr. Ali Atia, head of Orbital’s commercial GEO satellite business unit. “We are delighted to add MEASAT to the list of blue-chip customers who have recognized the benefits of small satellites and adopted the ‘STAR small-satellite solution.'”
Speaking for MEASAT Satellite Systems, Mr. Tun Hanif said, “The MEASAT 91.5 degrees E orbital location is developing into one of the region’s premier satellite slots, with more than two million antennas now focused on the existing MEASAT-1 satellite. Our decision to procure MEASAT-1R shows our commitment to support our customers’ expanding requirements for high-quality, high-powered satellite capacity. Orbital, with a strong track record of delivering reliable spacecraft to schedule, was a clear choice for us.”
The new satellite will carry 12 Ku-band and 12 C-band active transponders along with three antennas. The satellite will serve C-band markets throughout the region with a global beam, and Ku-band beams will serve direct-to-home broadcasting markets in Malaysia and Indonesia. The satellite will generate approximately 3.6 kilowatts of payload power.
This is the fourth commercial communications satellite order received by Orbital this year. Other operators who have chosen the company’s STAR GEO platform in 2005 include PanAmSat (NYSE: PA – News), which purchased the hybrid C- and Ku-band PAS-11 satellite in April and the Horizons-2 satellite in August as part of a joint venture with JSAT Corporation (Tokyo: JSAT – News). In addition, Norway’s Telenor Broadcast Services ordered the THOR II-R Ku-band satellite from Orbital in September.
About Orbital
Orbital develops and manufactures small space systems for commercial, civil government and military customers. The company’s primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-orbit, geostationary and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing and scientific missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense boosters that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also offers space-related technical services to government agencies and develops and builds satellite-based transportation management systems for public transit agencies and private vehicle fleet operators.
More information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com
Note to Editors: A high-resolution (300+ d.p.i.) artist rendering of the Orbital-built MEASAT-1R satellite, as well as images of the company’s modern satellite manufacturing facility, where the MEASAT satellite will be built, are available at: http://www.orbital.com/News/Images/index.html
Contact:
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Public and Investor Relations
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Beneski.barron@orbital.com