When it enters service later this year, Telstar 7 will host a robust cable programming neighborhood anchored by Time Warner Cable's AthenaTV. The cable neighborhood on Telstar 7 will join the premier broadcast, syndication and distance learning neighborhood firmly established on the already orbiting Telstar 4, 5, and 6 satellites.

Manufactured by Space Systems/Loral, Telstar 7 will cover the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and into the Caribbean and Latin America from its orbital slot at 129(degree) West Longitude.

The satellite carries a total of 48 transponders -- 24 at C-band and 24 at Ku-band. Its design is based on SS/L's three-axis, body-stabilized FS-1300 bus, which has proven its worth during more than 300 years of cumulative on-orbit service, close to one-half of the total of nearly 700 plus years amassed by all SS/L satellites to date.

In addition to Telstar 7, Arianespace will launch Loral Skynet's Orion 2 satellite later this year. At 12(degree) W.L., Orion 2 will expand Loral Skynet's coverage in Latin America, Europe, Russia, South Africa and the Middle East.

Orion 2 will deliver video communications for television and other program distributors, high-speed Internet connectivity and private multimedia services to link the major business centers on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Loral Skynet of Bedminster, N.J., a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications, is a leading satellite communications services provider that operates the Telstar and Orion satellite fleets.