Arianespace has further reinforced its position as the leading launch services provider in Mexico with a contract to orbit the Satmex 6 telecommunications satellite.
Satmex 6 will be lofted by an Ariane 5 in the first quarter of 2003, and is to be positioned at 109.2 deg. West to provide coverage for all of Mexico, as well as other portions of Latin and North America. It will be operated by Satélites Mexicanos S.A. de C.V. (Satmex), which is a major satellite telecommunications provider in Latin America.
"This new contract is important because Satmex 6 represents a decisive step in the growing role that Satmex is playing in the Americas," said Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Marie following the May 30 contract signature in Mexico City. "As a result of Satmex' increasing capacity, we can see a national operator becoming a major regional player, covering the whole continent."
Luton added that the Satmex 6 order is important as well for Arianespace, as it underscores the mutually beneficial partnership between Arianespace and Satmex that began in October 1993 with the launch of Solidaridad 1. Arianespace subsequently orbited the Solidaridad 2 spacecraft in October 1994, followed by Satmex 5 in December 1998.
Launch of the 5,700-kg. Satmex 6 in 2003 will be the first mission for a Mexican satellite on Ariane 5 Arianespace's next-generation heavy-lift launcher, which is sized for economical dual-payload launches of satellites in the 5-6 metric ton weight class. The newest Satmex spacecraft will carry 36 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, and is designed for a useful lifetime of 15 years.
Satmex is a member of the Loral Global Alliance, and provides telecommunications, telephony and radio broadcasting in 31 countries in its service region. The Satmex 6 payload currently is in the production phase at Space Systems Loral.
The May 30 Satmex 6 contract signature ceremony was held in Mexico City's Universum science museum, and the agreement was inked by Luton and Satmex Executive Vice President Lauro Gonzalez.
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Satmex 6 Contract For Ariane 5 Strenghtens Arianespace's Market Position In Mexico
