Arianespace Signs Two Launch Contracts With DirecTV

LAUNCH PAD

Paris (SPX) Sep 09, 2004
Arianespace Thursday announced the signing of its sixth and seventh contracts of the year, and fifth and sixth overall with The DIRECTV Group. The first contract will be for the launch of the Spaceway 2 satellite in April 2005.

This 6.1 metric ton satellite carries an all Ka-Band payload destined to expand and enhance DIRECTV's direct-to-home (DTH) television service and to provide satellite broadband services across the United States. The second contract is for an un-named direct-to-home satellite. Both payloads will fly the Ariane 5 from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Launch preparation of the Spaceway 2 satellite will be completed in a record-breaking seven months from contract signature to launch. The speed of the campaign demonstrates how only Arianespace can deliver true mission assurance to customers worldwide.

"We always appreciate the attention to customer service provided by Arianespace," said Romulo Pontual, Executive VP and CTO, The DIRECTV Group. "We look forward to two more successful Ariane launches."

"We are thrilled to be working once again with DIRECTV," said Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace. "This contract proves Arianespace's flexibility and innovative solutions meet our customers' changing needs."

"The contracts also mark the first use of Arianespace's unique approach of providing "mass in orbit" to its customers," remarked Le Gall, "giving a combined price for the two contracts based on the total mass of the satellites."

"Our relationship with DIRECTV began more than a decade ago with the launch of DBS-1. We made history with the record-setting 20 day launch campaign of DIRECTV-4S, and are setting new standards in customer service with these unique contracts," continued Le Gall. "We are proud to have played an important role in the successful development of direct-to-home television in the United States, and look forward to being a part of its bright future."

LAUNCH PAD

ILS And Atlas Successfully Launch Payload For NRO

Cape Canaveral FL (SPX) Sep 02, 2004
An Atlas IIAS rocket lifted off Tuesday night (August 31), successfully carrying a national security payload into orbit. The mission, called AC-167, was provided for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) by International Launch Services (ILS), using a Lockheed Martin-built Atlas vehicle.

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