The launch from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, will take place in the first quarter 2000, using an Ariane 44L launch vehicle. ANIK Fl is the fourth satellite that Telesat has entrusted to the European launcher, following ANIK E2, launched in April 1991, ANIK El in September 1991, and MSAT 1 in April 1996.

Underscoring the importance of this contract, Arianespace Chairman Jean- Marie Luton noted, "We greatly appreciate the confidence that the major Canadian operator and space communications expert Telesat has once again placed in Arianespace. Furthermore, we are very pleased to consolidate our market position in Canada, despite increasingly fierce competition from North America. We also continue to demonstrate the Ariane launch system's competitiveness, by offering the reliability and availability that gives the world's leading operators a competitive edge."

"ANIK Fl will be the cornerstone of Telesat's North America satellite business, and Telesat has once again entrusted Ariane to launch and deliver the first of these new and powerful spacecraft," said Larry Boisvert, Telesat's President and CEO. "Telesat continues to have great confidence in Arianespace, and that's why they will play a key role in a project that's of fundamental importance to our company and our customers."

ANIK Fl will be built by Hughes Space and Communications in El Segundo, California, using its new HS 702 platform. It will weigh more than 4,500 kg (9,900 lb) at liftoff and will be equipped with 48 Ku-band and 36 C-band transponders.

Located at 107.3 degrees West, ANIK Fl will provide telecommunications services for North America during its projected design life of 15 years.

Following this contract, Arianespace's order book now stands at 40 satellites to be launched.