PARIS --- Arianespace today announced three new contracts for Ariane Launches of the DIRECTV-7S, iPSTAR-1 and STAR ONE C1 satellites. These transactions, which represent the bulk of orders that were open to commercial bids since the beginning of 2002, confirm the competitiveness of Arianespace's launch services.
"We are pleased that despite the market downturn, we were able to sign these three orders - two of which are with repeat customers, and the third involving a new operator," said Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Marie Luton. "These customers' choice underscores the ability of Arianespace to make competitive offers, which are backed by the success and efficiency of our launches. I would like to express my thanks to DirecTV and Shin for their renewed confidence, and to Star One for our new partnership."
DIRECTV-7S: 4th Launch for DIRECTV After the successful Ariane launches of DIRECTV-1, DIRECTV-3 and DIRECTV-4S, the premier American direct-to-home television provider DIRECTV has again chosen to launch its satellite with Arianespace.
DIRECTV-7S will operate from 119 degrees West longitude but is also capable of operating from orbital 101 degrees West longitude, the primary orbital slot for DIRECTV, and will provide customers in the United States with local channel service to additional markets and new services. The Space Systems/Loral-built satellite will operate with 37 spot-beam transponders for regional broadcasting and 7 super-high power beam transponders for national coverage from the 119 degrees West longitude location. DIRECTV-7S' launch is scheduled for early fourth quarter 2003 and will have a separated mass of 5,550 kg.
iPSTAR-1, a fourth launch for Thailand iPSTAR-1 will be the fourth satellite launched by Arianespace for private Thai operator Shin Satellite Public Company Limited (formerly Shinawatra Satellite). It follows Thaicom 1 (orbited in December 1993), Thaicom 2 (launched in October 1994) and Thaicom 3 in April 1997.
Built on a new-generation Space Systems/Loral FS 1300 platform, iPSTAR-1 will weigh over 6,700 kg. at launch. It will be positioned at 120 degrees East, and will mainly provide broadband Internet and multimedia services. Its footprint will cover not just Thailand, but all countries in the Asia-Pacific region. iPSTAR-1's launch is scheduled for early 2004 on an Ariane 5 heavy-lift vehicle. With its 5-meter diameter fairing, Ariane 5 is the only commercial launch vehicle in operation today capable of launching such hefty 5-ton class satellites.
STAR ONE C1 : a 7th launch for Brazil STAR ONE, a leading operator of satellite capacity, based in Brazil, is a subsidiary of Embratel in which SES Astra holds 20% of the capital. This spacecraft, also named Simon Bolivar F1, is the result of the cooperation between Brazil and 5 Andean countries (Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela). With this program STAR ONE will become a regional operator and one of the most important provider of telecommunications services for Latin America. STAR ONE C1 will be lofted by an Ariane 5 in the fourth quarter of 2004 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. It will be positioned in geostationary orbit at 67 degrees West, above the Atlantic Ocean. Built by ALCATEL SPACE in Cannes, France, this Spacebus 3000-based platform will be optimized to provide direct television, telecommunications and Internet services. With a liftoff mass of about 4,100 kg., STAR ONE C1's 44 Ku-band transponders will provide coverage over South America and the area south of Florida.
STAR ONE C1 will be lofted by an Ariane 5 in the fourth quarter of 2004 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. It will be positioned in geostationary orbit at 67 degrees West, above the Atlantic Ocean.
Following the contract signature, Jean-Marie Luton, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace said: "I am pleased to sign such a contract with STAR ONE of Brazil, South America's leading operator. All Brazilian satellites have been launched by Arianespace. This continued confidence on the part of Brazil brings Arianespace further recognition of the quality and excellence of our Ariane launch service. Arianespace is proud to be associated with the development of telecommunications in South America. By choosing Arianespace, Star One has made a highly professional choice, confirming a worldwide preference "
Out of the 215 commercial satellites in operation today, 137 spacecraft, that is about 64 %, have been launched by Arianespace. This performance is confirmed year after year, Arianespace having in 2001 launched 11 of 16 commercial satellites and signed 13 contracts out of the 21 open to commercial bids.
STAR ONE , a leading operator of satellite capacity, based in Brazil, is a subsidiary of Embratel in which SES Astra has 20% of the capital. This satellite, also named as Simon Bolivar F1, is the result of the cooperation between Brazil and 5 Andean countries (Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela). With this program STAR ONE becomes a regional operator and one of the most important provider of telecommunications services for Latin America.
Built by ALCATEL SPACE in Cannes (France), this satellite based on a Spacebus 3000 platform will be optimized to provide Direct television, telecommunications and Internet services. With a mass at lift-off of about 4,100 kg, it will provide 44 equivalent 36 Mhz active Ku-band transponders with coverage over South America and South of Florida . STAR ONE C1 has a contractual lifetime of 15 years.
