PALO ALTO, CA, March 27, 2013 /CNW/ -Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites,
today announced that the Satmex 8 satellite, designed and built for Satélites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. (Satmex), was launched yesterday and is successfully performing
post-launch maneuvers according to plan. The satellite deployed its
solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard a Proton Breeze M launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services (ILS) from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan. The satellite will
begin firing its main thruster later today in order to start
maneuvering into geosynchronous orbit.
"SSL shares Satmex's focus on quality service and the use of satellite
communications for an interconnected world," said John Celli, president of SSL. "We are pleased to see Satmex 8 performing on orbit
where it joins Satmex 6, also built by SSL, which continues to provide
reliable service over the Americas."
Satmex 8 is a Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) spacecraft that will
provide video content and distribution, broadband services, and
cellular backhaul in North, South and Central America. It will also
help people in remote areas with services for telemedicine, distance
learning, and emergency communications. When the satellite completes
in-orbit testing, it will replace Satmex 5 at 116.8 degrees West
longitude.
"SSL has been an important contributor to our fleet expansion," said
Jesus Gutierrez, program manager and director of engineering of Satmex.
"We would like to thank everyone at SSL, ILS, and Satmex who dedicated
their time to this satellite and made this launch a success."
Satmex 8 is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 space-proven platform, which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of
applications and technology advances. The satellite is designed to
deliver service for 15 years or more. With this launch, there are 72
SSL-built satellites currently on orbit.
About Satmex
Satélites Mexicanos ("Satmex") is a significant provider of fixed
satellite services ("FSS") in the Americas, coverage of more than 90%
of the population of the region. As one of only two privately-managed
FSS providers based in Latin America, Satmex (together with its
predecessors) has designed, procured, launched and operated three
generations of satellites over a 25 year period. Satmex's current fleet
is comprised of three satellites in highly attractive, contiguous
orbital slots that enable its customers to effectively serve their
entire coverage footprint utilizing a single satellite connection.
For further information, visit www.satmex.com.
About SSL
SSL, a subsidiary of MDA, has a long history of delivering reliable
satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government
customers around the world. As a leading provider of commercial
satellites, the company works closely with satellite operators to
provide spacecraft for a broad range of services including television
and radio distribution, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and
mobile communications. Billions of people around the world depend on
SSL satellites every day. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.
About MDA
MDA is a global communications and information company providing
operational solutions to commercial and government organizations
worldwide.
MDA's business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat
business potential. In addition, the Company conducts a significant
amount of advanced technology development.
MDA's well-established global customer base is served by more than 4,500
employees operating from 11 offices located in the United States,
Canada, and internationally.
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.'s (MDA) common shares trade
under the symbol TSX:MDA.
Related Websites:
www.mdacorporation.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and information,
which reflect the current view of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates
Ltd. and its subsidiaries (collectively "MDA" or the "Company") with
respect to future events and financial performance. When used in this
news release, the words "believes", "expects", "plans", "may", "will",
"would", "could", "should", "anticipates", "estimates", "project",
"intend" or "outlook" or other variations of these words or other
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements
and information. Actual results may differ materially from the
expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as
a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Known risks and
uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with
operating satellites and providing satellite services, including
satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit
failures or impaired satellite performance; risks associated with
satellite manufacturing, including competition, cyclicality of MDA's
end-user markets, contractual risks, creditworthiness of customers,
performance of suppliers and management of MDA's factory and personnel;
risk associated with financial factors such as volatility in exchange
rates, increases in interest rates, restrictions on access to capital,
and swings in global financial markets; risks associated with domestic
and foreign government regulation, including export controls and
economic sanctions; and other risks, including litigation. The
foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information
contained in this news release reflects MDA's beliefs, assumptions,
intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release.
Except as required by law, MDA disclaims any obligation or undertaking
to update or revise the information herein.
For additional information with respect to certain of these risks or
factors, plus additional risks or factors, reference should be made to
the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time
with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which are available
online under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.mdacorporation.com.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the form
or content of this release.
SOURCE: MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.
<p> <b>CONTACT:</b><br/> Wendy Keyzer<br/> MDA External Relations<br/> (604) 231-2743<br/> <a href="mailto:wendy@mdacorporation.com">wendy@mdacorporation.com</a> </p>