Space Systems/Loral to Build APSTAR-V Communications Satellite for APT Satellite

Space Systems/Loral
(SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications, has
been awarded a contract to design and build APSTAR-V, a high-powered,
C/Ku-band satellite for APT Satellite Company Ltd. (APT Satellite),
Hong Kong.

APSTAR-V will replace the aging APSTAR-I satellite at its
geostationary orbital position of 138 degrees East longitude. It will
provide Ku-band voice, video and data services to China, Hawaii, and
East Asia, and C-band services to other parts of the Asia-Pacific
region, including Australia and Hawaii. The new satellite will also be
used to provide space-based Internet backbone services for the main
cities of Asia to and from the U.S. through Hawaii.

Under the new contract, which requires SS/L’s receipt of the
necessary U.S. government export licenses, SS/L will also provide
customary pre- and post-launch support services. APSTAR-V is scheduled
for launch in early 2003, with APT procuring the launch vehicle and
insurance. The spacecraft is expected to begin service in the spring
of 2003.

The Satellite

APSTAR-V is a high-powered C/Ku-band hybrid satellite based on
SS/L’s 1300 platform, similar to APSTAR-IIR, which is currently on
orbit serving the Asia-Pacific region. APSTAR-V will have total
beginning-of-life power of 10.6 kW with a separated mass of
approximately 4,845 kg, and 9.5 kW of end-of-life power. The new
spacecraft will operate a total of 54 transponders, 38 in the C band
at 60 watts, and 16 in the Ku band at 141 watts.

Based on SS/L’s space-proven 1300 platform, APSTAR-V is designed
for a mission life of 13 years. The 1300, which has an excellent
record of reliable operation, is designed to achieve a long useful
orbital life, excellent station-keeping, and orbital stability by
using bipropellant propulsion and momentum-bias systems. A system of
high efficiency solar arrays and lightweight batteries provides
uninterrupted electrical power. In all, SS/L satellites have amassed a
total of nearly 800 years on orbit.

The Companies

APT Satellite Company Ltd. is a major international satellite
operator in Asia, and is owned by a consortium of Asian companies in
Mainland China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore. It provides high
quality satellite transponder and telecommunications services for
international and Asia-Pacific broadcasting and communications
organizations.

Space Systems/Loral 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,
environmental monitoring, and air traffic control. SS/L is ISO 9001
certified. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.

Loral Space & Communications 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, global
wireless telephony, broadband data transmission and content services,
Internet services, and international direct-to-home satellite
services. For more information, visit www.loral.com.