SSL Delivers EUTELSAT 25B/Es'hail 1 to Launch Base


SSL-built satellite will serve two operators with TV broadcasting, telecommunications and government services



PALO ALTO, CA – Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that the high power, multi-mission satellite it designed and built for Eutelsat Communications and Es'hailSat, has arrived at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, where it is planned for launch aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle by Arianespace. EUTELSAT 25B/Es'hail 1 is designed to serve both satellite operators and will provide flexible coverage over the Middle East, and North Africa.



"SSL, Eutelsat and Es'hailSat all share a commitment to the highest quality and reliability," said John Celli, President of SSL. "SSL has been pleased to support the creative arrangement between Eutelsat and Es'hailSat to share a complex multi-mission satellite, and we eagerly await the launch."



The satellite is designed to provide television broadcasting, telecommunications and government services in the Middle East and North Africa via a Ku-band payload. In addition, the satellite has Ka-band capability to open business opportunities for both organizations. When launched, EUTELSAT 25B/Es'hail 1 will be positioned at 25.5 degrees East longitude.



"EUTELSAT 25B/Es'hail 1 will help us respond to the growing demand for capacity and reach in regions experiencing dynamic growth of digital  services," said Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat. "We are looking forward to the coming launch."



"SSL delivered a highly capable, flexible, and reliable satellite," said Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari, CEO of Es'hailSat. "We are very excited to see our first satellite being prepared for launch."



EUTELSAT 25B/Es'hail 1 has four steerable spot beam antennas and four deployable reflectors along with advanced command and telemetry capabilities. It is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 platform which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The spacecraft is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.



About Eutelsat Communications



With capacity commercialised on 31 satellites delivering reach of  Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, significant parts of the Americas and the Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris:  ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading satellite operators. As of 31 March 2013, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 4,600 television channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV contribution, corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband markets. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ over 780 commercial, technical and operational professionals from 30 countries. www.eutelsat.com



About Es'hailSat



The Qatar Satellite Company was established in 2010 and trades under the name of Es'hailSat. Based in Doha, Qatar, the company will own and operate satellites to serve broadcasters, businesses and governments. Es'hailSat has contracted with Space Systems/Loral to build its first satellite called Es'hail 1 which will share a spacecraft platform with the European satellite operator Eutelsat. Es'hail 1 is scheduled for launch in the summer of 2013 and will provide television, voice, Internet, corporate and government services across the Middle East and North Africa region and beyond.



About SSL



SSL has a long history of delivering reliable satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. As the world's leading provider of commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite operators to provide spacecraft for a broad range of services including television and radio distribution, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and mobile communications. Billions of people around the world depend on SSL satellites every day. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.



Source

SSL



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Media Contact: 

Wendy Lewis

SSL

+1 (650) 852-5188


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