Following Successful Launch From the Equatorial Pacific, 20 Kilowatt Direct Broadcast Satellite is on Track With Post Launch Maneuvers
Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (Nasdaq:LORL), and the world’s leading provider of high-power commercial satellites, today announced that the EchoStar XI satellite, built for DISH Network, deployed its solar arrays early this morning, following its successful launch last night from Sea Launch’s Odyssey Launch Platform on the equator in the Pacific Ocean.
The 20-kW direct broadcast satellite (DBS) is performing post-launch maneuvers on schedule as it continues its progress toward its in-orbit testing location. Its final location in geosynchronous orbit will be 110 degrees West longitude. It is the fourth SS/L-built satellite to be launched this year and the fifth satellite that SS/L has provided to DISH Network.
“We trust Space Systems/Loral to provide us with a spacecraft that helps us meet our business objectives,” said Rohan Zaveri, Vice President of Space Programs for DISH Network. “After so much hard work, both of our companies can take great pride in seeing the launch of this powerful satellite.”
The satellite is based on SS/L’s highly reliable, high-heritage, 1300 spacecraft bus, which provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications. Orbit raising operations are being conducted from SS/L’s Mission Control Center in Palo Alto, Calif.
“The long term relationship between Space Systems/Loral and DISH Network is built on our passion and commitment to delivering reliable and technologically advanced spacecraft,” said John Celli, president and chief operating officer of Space Systems/Loral. “With the successful launch of EchoStar XI, there are 55 SS/L-built geostationary satellites now in orbit and more bits are transported over our satellites than over satellites from any other manufacturer.”
About DISH Network Corporation
DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) provides more than 13.815 million satellite TV customers with industry-leading customer satisfaction which has surpassed major cable companies for seven years running. DISH Network customers also enjoy access to a premier line of award-winning Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), hundreds of video and audio channels, the most International channels in the U.S., industry-leading Interactive TV applications, Latino programming, and the best sports and movies in HD. DISH Network offers a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package, high-speed Internet service, and a free upgrade to the best HD DVR in the industry. DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit www.dishnetwork.com/aboutus or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.
About Space Systems/Loral
Based in Palo Alto, California, SS/L designs and builds satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. As the leading provider of high-power commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite operators to deliver spacecraft for a broad range of services including direct-to-home television, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and digital multimedia broadcasting. With a 50-year history and more than 1,400 on-orbit years logged, SS/L helps customers meet business objectives with advanced solutions based on space-proven heritage designs. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.
About Loral Space & Communications
Loral Space & Communications is a satellite communications company. Through its Space Systems/Loral subsidiary, the company is a world-class leader in the design and manufacture of satellites and satellite systems for commercial and government applications including direct-to-home television, broadband communications, wireless telephony, weather monitoring and air traffic management. Loral also owns 64 percent of Telesat Canada, one of the world’s largest providers of satellite services. Telesat Canada operates a fleet of telecommunications satellites used to broadcast video entertainment programming, distribute direct-to-home video and broadband data services, and other value-added communications 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 Inc. 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 from time to time 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. Many of these factors and conditions are described under the caption “Risk Factors” in the company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The reader is specifically referred to these documents, as well as the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
