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Maxar’s SSL Delivers Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 to Launch Base in French Guiana

08/08/2018

Multi-mission satellite to support Azercosmos, Intelsat at 45 degrees East

PALO ALTO, Calif. – August 8, 2018 – SSL, a Maxar Technologies company (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.) (NYSE: MAXR; TSX: MAXR), and a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, announced today that the multi-mission Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 communications satellite has arrived at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, where it will be launched aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle by Arianespace. The satellite has a contractual lifetime of 15 years, but actual life may be longer and it demonstrates SSL’s commitment to providing a high-performance platform for services that inform, entertain and connect people around the globe.

“The delivery of this multi-mission satellite is a strong reflection of SSL’s ability to collaborate as a trusted partner and deliver tailor-made, powerful solutions for complex business cases,” said Dario Zamarian, group president of SSL. “Now our team is working closely with Azercosmos, Intelsat, and Arianespace to prepare the satellite for launch.”

Azerspace-2 will help Azercosmos meet the growing demand for direct-to-home (DTH) television, government, and network services in Europe, Central and South Asia, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. It is Azercosmos’ second telecommunications satellite, and will expand on the service currently available from Azerspace-1.

“Our collaboration with SSL and Intelsat has been very successful,” said Rashad Nabiyev, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Azercosmos. “This satellite will enhance our capacity, coverage, and service offerings to support growing demand for services and we look forward to its launch with great anticipation.”

For Intelsat, the satellite will provide continuity of service for the Intelsat 12 satellite, which was also built by SSL and was launched in 2000. At 45 degrees East longitude, it provides DTH platforms for Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Asia-Pacific region.  Intelsat 38 will also provide connectivity for corporate networks and government applications in Africa. 

“SSL has been a trusted manufacturing partner to Intelsat for many years,” said Stephen Spengler, chief executive officer of Intelsat. “The new Intelsat 38 satellite payload will enable our media customers to deliver enhanced service offerings across Central and Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific.  It will also provide the broadband connectivity needed to support the services rendered by our corporate network and government customers operating in Africa.”

The satellite design is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 satellite platform that provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications and technology advances.

 

About SSL
SSL, based in Palo Alto, California, is a leading provider of advanced spacecraft systems, with broad expertise to support commercial and government satellite operators and innovative space missions. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband internet, mobile communications, in-orbit servicing, space exploration, and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley innovator for 60 years, SSL’s advanced product line includes state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics and autonomous solutions for remote operations. SSL is a Maxar Technologies company (NYSE: MAXR; TSX: MAXR). For more information, visit www.sslmda.com.  
 
About Maxar Technologies
As a global leader of advanced space technology solutions, Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) is at the nexus of the new space economy, developing and sustaining the infrastructure and delivering the information, services, systems that unlock the promise of space for commercial and government markets. As a trusted partner, Maxar Technologies provides vertically-integrated capabilities and expertise including satellites, Earth imagery, robotics, geospatial data and analytics to help customers anticipate and address their most complex mission-critical challenges with confidence. With more than 6,500 employees in over 30 global locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes MDA, SSL, DigitalGlobe and Radiant Solutions. Every day, billions of people rely on Maxar to communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that Build a Better World. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com.

About Azercosmos
Azercosmos is the premier satellite operator in the South Caucasus. Azerspace-1, the telecommunication satellite operated by Azercosmos, provides highly-reliable broadband and broadcast solutions to its customers in Europe, Africa, Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The satellite, to operate in orbit for at least 15 years, was launched in February 2013 and is equipped with 36 transponders: 24 in C-band and 12 in Ku-band at 46° East longitude. In December 2014, Azercosmos took over the rights to operate and commercialize Azersky, high resolution (1.5m imagery products) optical Earth observation satellite, and entered into the commercial business of Earth observation services, including Geo-Information services. Strategic development plans of the company include enhancing the coverage area and spectrum of services by launching the second telecommunications satellite Azerspace-2 at 45° East longitude in 2018. For more information, visit: www.azercosmos.com.

About Intelsat
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world’s first Globalized Network, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services anywhere in the world. Intelsat’s Globalized Network combines the world’s largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure, managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network services. Thousands of organizations serving billions of people worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity, multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries and transform the ways in which we live. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.

 

Media Contact
Wendy Lewis
SSL
1-650-852-5188
wendy.lewis@sslmda.com

Investor Contact
Jason Gursky
Maxar Technologies
1-303-684-2207
jason.gursky@maxar.com

Azercosmos Contact
Aysel Soltanova
Azercosmos Corporate Communications Director
aysel.soltanova@azercosmos.az

Intelsat Contact
Michele Loguidice
Intelsat, Director of Corporate Communications
703.558.7372
Michele.loguidice@intelsat.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of Maxar Technologies Ltd. (the “Company”) with respect to future events and financial performance. The forward-looking statements in this regard include statements regarding the launch and operation of a satellite. Any such forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. The factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this release include contracts with any government or intergovernmental agency not being terminated. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. The Company cautions readers that should certain risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. The risks that could cause actual results to differ from current expectations include, but are not necessarily limited to: changes in government or intergovernmental priorities, mandates, funding levels, contracts and regulations; satellite construction delays; launch delays; launch failures; in-orbit failures; failure of third parties and subcontractors; and failure to anticipate changes in technology, technical standards and offerings or compliance with the requisite standards, or failure to maintain technological advances and offer new products to retain customers and market position.

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 and U.S. securities regulatory authorities, which are available online under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, under the Company's EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov, or on the Company's website at www.maxar.com.

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The SSL-built Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 communications satellite has arrived at the Arianespace launch base. Image courtesy of SSL.
The SSL-built Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 communications satellite has arrived at the Arianespace launch base. Image courtesy of SSL.