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PanAmSat Orders 3 Birds And 2 Ariane 4 Launches
 Greenwich - October 13, 1998 - PanAmSat announced Monday new orders for three satellites from Hughes Space and Communications for launch over the next 15 months. PanAmSat has also arranged with Hughes for up to three ground spare spacecraft that could be completed as replacement or supplemental satellites on an expedited basis. In addition, PanAmSat has selected Arianespace to provide two additional launches, one of which will be used to deploy the Galaxy XI satellite in March/April 1999 on an Ariane 4 rocket.

"Our selection of Hughes and Arianespace reflects PanAmSat's commitment to virtually double our satellite capacity over the next 15 months, growing our global network to 25 satellites and more than 900 transponders," said Frederick A. Landman, PanAmSat's president and chief executive officer. "Hughes provides PanAmSat with unparalleled flexibility to deliver multiple satellites for specific markets on an expedited basis. The Ariane 4 vehicle will enable us to reduce potential risk and ensure the timely launch of Galaxy XI, our next satellite for the United States.

PanAmSat has ordered three HS 601 HP satellites from Hughes. The satellites are:

  • Galaxy IV-R, the replacement for the Galaxy IV satellite to be located at 99 degrees West Longitude over the United States;
  • Galaxy X-R, the replacement for the Galaxy X satellite to be located at 123 degrees West Longitude over the United States; and
  • A new international satellite to meet specific market demand for satellite-based broadcast and telecommunications services.

Galaxy XI, a Hughes HS 702 satellite, contains 64 transponders providing coverage of North America and Brazil. The spacecraft, which will be located initially at 99 degrees West Longitude, will be the most powerful commercial satellite to serve the United States. PanAmSat originally planned to launch Galaxy XI on the first mission of the Sea Launch vehicle. PanAmSat, Hughes and Boeing Co. are supporting the use of the first Sea Launch as a demonstration mission instead. PanAmSat intends to launch a future satellite on the Sea Launch vehicle during the 4th quarter of 1999.

With the three new HS 601 HP spacecraft, PanAmSat expects to launch eight additional satellites over the next 15 months, consisting of two new satellites for Latin America, one for Asia, four for the United States and one additional international satellite. By the year 2000, PanAmSat expects to operate 25 satellites with significant service expansion and backup capabilities, including multiple satellites in each ocean region worldwide and at least two in-orbit spare satellites (Galaxy VI and SBS-6) for the United States. The company will also have ground spare satellites at its disposal for launch on an expedited basis.

PanAmSat is the world's leading commercial provider of satellite-based communications services. The company operates a global network of 17 satellites supported by PanAmSat professionals on five continents. These resources enable PanAmSat to provide video and telecommunications services to hundreds of customers worldwide.

PanAmSat resources and services include:

  • The premier cable and broadcast television satellites in the United States, Latin America, the Indian subcontinent and the Asia-Pacific;
  • Satellite platforms for current and planned direct-to-home television services in Latin America, South Africa, the Middle East, India and the United States;
  • Live transmission services for news, sports and special events coverage worldwide; and
  • Global satellite-based telecommunications services and Internet access.

The next launch will be the deployment of PAS-8, PanAmSat's fourth satellite serving Asia, on a Proton rocket in early November 1998.

  • PanAmSat




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