Marks first SpaceX launch for both AsiaSat and SSL

PALO ALTO, June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, and Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat), Asia's leading satellite operator, today announced that AsiaSat 8 has arrived at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, where it will be launched aboard a Falcon 9 launch vehicle by SpaceX. The satellite is currently being prepared for a July launch which will mark the first Falcon 9 launch for both AsiaSat and SSL.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140612/117300)

"I would like to thank AsiaSat for its long term trust and confidence in SSL," said John Celli, President of SSL. "We are pleased that AsiaSat 8 has arrived safely at the launch base and now, after many years of working together, both AsiaSat and SSL eagerly anticipate our first SpaceX launch."

AsiaSat 8, with Ku and Ka-band payloads, is designed to provide direct-to-home (DTH) television service, data broadcasting, and telecommunications services in Asia and the Middle East. When launched, AsiaSat 8 will be co-located with AsiaSat 7. The additional capacity from AsiaSat 8 will help meet growing market demand and ensure the delivery of exceptionally high power and quality service to its customers.

"SSL is an important contributor to our fleet expansion," said William Wade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat. "We are pleased that AsiaSat 8 has arrived in Cape Canaveral safely and look forward to the launch to bring new and quality capacity to multiple markets in Asia and the Middle East."

In addition to a Ka-band payload, AsiaSat 8 will have four Ku-band beams serving China, India, the Middle East and South East Asia and the satellite is equipped with inter-beam switching to meet specific customer requirements.

AsiaSat 8 is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 platform, which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. It is the third satellite that SSL has built for AsiaSat and there are currently two additional satellites, AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 9 in the SSL backlog.

About AsiaSat

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), the leading satellite operator in Asia, serves over two-thirds of the world's population with its four satellites, AsiaSat 3S, AsiaSat 4, AsiaSat 5 and AsiaSat 7. The AsiaSat satellite fleet provides services to both the broadcast and telecommunications industries. Over 450 television and radio channels are now delivered by the company's satellites offering access to over 710 million TV households across the Asia-Pacific region. AsiaSat also provides telecommunications operators and end users services such as voice networks, private VSAT networks and broadband multimedia. AsiaSat's latest satellites, AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 8, are scheduled for launch in the coming months. AsiaSat 9 which is on order from the manufacturer is planned to be launched in 2017. AsiaSat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited, a company listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (Stock Code: 1135). For more information, please visit www.asiasat.com.

About SSL

SSL 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, mobile communications, and Earth observation. Billions of people around the world depend on SSL satellites every day. For more information, visit www.sslmda.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of Space Systems/Loral (SSL) 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 SSL's end-user markets, contractual risks, creditworthiness of customers, performance of suppliers and management of SSL'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 SSL's beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, SSL disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.

SOURCE SSL