Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (NasdaqGS:LORL) and the world’s leading provider of high-power commercial satellites, today announced that it delivered EchoStar XI to the Sea Launch home port in Long Beach, Calif. on Tuesday, May 27.
“EchoStar XI is a powerful 20-kW satellite, designed to expand capacity for DISH Network,” said John Celli, president and chief operating officer of Space Systems/Loral. “This is the fourth satellite that we have shipped for launch in 2008 and we expect to see a number of additional launches before the end of the year.”
EchoStar XI is a powerful direct broadcast satellite (DBS), which was built for an affiliate of DISH Network Corporation. Launch is scheduled for later this summer, aboard a Zenit-3SL rocket from the Sea Launch Odyssey platform in the Pacific Ocean. The satellite will be the fifth SS/L built satellite in the DISH fleet.
“There is a good deal of anticipation as we gear up for the EchoStar XI launch,” said Rohan Zaveri, Vice President of Space Programs for DISH Network. “Each time Space Systems/Loral delivers a satellite to DISH Network, we are reminded of the success of our ongoing working relationship and the company’s ability to meet our evolving requirements.”
EchoStar XI is based on SS/L’s space-proven 1300 platform, which provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications. Following launch and in-orbit testing, the new satellite will support the expansion of DISH Network’s programming and services.
About DISH Network Corporation
DISH Network Corporation (NasdaqGS:DISH) provides more than 13.78 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 http://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 http://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 http://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.
