PALO ALTO, Calif. – May 26, 2015 — Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that the Star One C4 satellite, designed and built for Embratel Star One, has arrived at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, where it will be launched aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle by Arianespace. The launch marks the 50th SSL mission with Arianespace.
“Embratel Star One and SSL share a commitment to improving Latin America’s communications infrastructure and providing exceptional service,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “Star One C4, which is an advanced and powerful satellite, also has special significance to SSL as our 50th mission with Arianespace.”
When launched, the satellite will be placed in a hot spot location for transmitting signals of major TV stations in Brazil and will have 22-25 million parabolic antennas pointed in its direction. Star One C4 will feature 48 transponders (signal receivers and transmitters) in Ku-Band, increasing threefold the current capacity of the 70 W orbital position at this frequency band including use of BSS.
“The new satellite will reinforce our DTH services in Brazil while expanding access to other Latin American countries and to the mainland United States,” said Gustavo Silbert, President of Embratel Star One.
Star One C4 is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 platform, which provides high-power and the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The satellite will be positioned at 70 degrees West longitude when launched and is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.
About EMBRATEL STAR ONE
Embratel Star One is the largest satellite operator in Latin America. Founded in December 2000 as a subsidiary from Embratel, Embratel Star One has a fleet of seven satellites. It operates four GEO satellites (Star One C1, C2, C3, and BRASILSAT B4), and two in inclined orbit (BRASILSAT B2 and B3), with a main ground station located in Guaratiba (Rio de Janeiro - Brazil). The Star One C4 together with the C1, C2, C3 and C12 are part of the third generation of satellites now. These existing satellites have been providing telephone, television, radio, data transmission and Internet services mainly in Brazil. The new Star One C4, will allow expansion of these services to Latin American countries and mainland United States. For more information, visit www.starone.com.br.
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.
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