Mexican Operator Satmex Has Chosen Arianespace to Launch Its New Satmex 6 Satellite
Private Mexican operator Satelites
Mexicanos S.A. de C.V. (Satmex) has selected Europe’s Ariane to launch its
Satmex 6 satellite from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana,
during the first quarter of 2003. The launch contract should be signed
shortly.
Satmex 6, a Space Systems/Loral-built satellite, is currently under
construction at SS/L’s facilities in Palo Alto, California. Weighing
approximately 5,700 kilograms at liftoff, the satellite will be positioned at
109.2 degrees West and carry 36 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders. Satmex
will use the state-of-the-art Satmex 6 satellite to bolster its
telecommunications and Internet transmission capacity for all of Mexico, as
well as other parts of North America and Latin America.
“This choice once again demonstrates our adaptability and flexibility,”
said Jean-Marie Luton, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, emphasizing the
importance of Satmex’s decision. “Today, only Arianespace and Ariane 5 give
operators fast access to space for their heavy satellites. We are extremely
proud of our role in building the Mexican telecommunications system, and of
Satmex’s renewed confidence in us. This will be the fourth Mexican satellite
launched by Arianespace, and the second for Satmex, following Satmex 5, which
was launched on Flight 114 in December 1998.”
“Our team selected Ariane after a thorough evaluation of all possible
Satmex 6 launch options,” said Lauro Gonzalez, president, Satmex. “Ariane
provides Satmex with the most reliable solution to launch what will be the
largest and most important satellite for Satmex and Mexico.”
About Satmex
Satmex, the leading Mexican satellite operator in the Americas, owns and
operates a satellite system through which it offers broadcast, telephone and
telecommunications services to 37 countries in the region. The Satmex fleet
also helps develop rural areas by offering distance learning, and rural
telephony services to remote locations. And, through its business partners in
the NAFTA region and Latin America, Satmex provides high-speed connectivity to
ISPs and Digital Broadcast Services (DBS), thus contributing to the
integration of Latin America with the rest of the Continent. Satmex is ISO
9001 certified.
Satmex is a member of the Loral Global Alliance and offers its customers
the advantages of a worldwide network of satellite capacity, providing global
satellite solutions to the needs and requirements of the Americas. For more
information, please visit the Satmex web site at http://www.satmex.com .
Principia is a leading Mexican telecommunications company that is majority
owned by the Autrey family and Mr. Lauro Gonzalez. In 1997, Principia and
Loral Space & Communications were selected to acquire 75 percent of Satmex in
connection with the privatization of Mexico’s fixed satellite services.
About Space Systems/Loral
Space Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications, is a
premier designer, manufacturer, and integrator of powerful satellites and
satellite systems. SS/L also provides a range of related services, including
mission control operations and procurement of launch services. Based in Palo
Alto, California, the company has an international base of commercial and
governmental customers whose applications include broadband digital
communications, wireless telephony, direct-to-home broadcast, defense
communications, environmental monitoring, and air traffic control. SS/L is
ISO 9001 certified. For more information, visit http://www.ssloral.com .
Loral Space & Communications (NYSE: LOR) is a high technology company that
concentrates primarily on satellite manufacturing and satellite-based
services, including broadcast transponder leasing and value added services,
domestic and international corporate data networks, broadband data
transmission, content and Internet services. For more information, visit
Loral’s web site at http://www.loral.com .
About Arianespace
Arianespace is the commercial launch services leader, holding more than 50
percent of the international market for satellites launched to geostationary
transfer orbit (GTO). Created in 1980 as the world’s first commercial space
transportation company, Arianespace has signed contracts for the launch of
more than 240 satellite payloads. For further information, see the
Arianespace Web site at http://www.arianespace.com .
