SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), has announced
today that the launch of its new satellite ASTRA 1L onboard an Ariane
5 rocket is scheduled for 3 May 2007 from the launch site of Kourou,
French Guiana. ASTRA 1L is the 9th ASTRA satellite launched with
Arianespace and the 3rd ASTRA satellite launched with an Ariane 5
rocket.
ASTRA 1L is an A2100 AXS type of satellite built by Lockheed
Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS). It will join the ASTRA
satellites currently co-positioned at 19.2(degree) East to operate as
a replacement satellite for existing capacity and to strengthen
ASTRA's unique redundancy and customer security scheme.
Martin Halliwell, Chief Technology Officer of SES ASTRA, said:
"After the successful launches that we have already experienced
together, we feel very confident that we have chosen the right partner
for the launch of our new satellite. This is the first Ariane launch
of an ASTRA spacecraft since ASTRA 3A in March 2002. We are excited to
be returning to Kourou to work once again with the colleagues from
Arianespace and look forward to a successful mission."
About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com
SES ASTRA is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in
Europe, delivering services to more than 109 million DTH and cable
households. The ASTRA satellite fleet currently comprises 12
satellites, transmitting 1.864 analogue and digital television and
radio channels. SES ASTRA also provides satellite-based multimedia,
internet and telecommunication services to enterprises, governments
and their agencies. With 26 High Definition (HD) channels available
via its satellites today, ASTRA is also the most important HDTV
broadcasting platform in Europe. ASTRA's prime orbital positions are
19.2(degree) East, 28.2(degree) East, and 23.5(degree) East.
SES ASTRA is an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG). SES wholly
owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe,
SES AMERICOM in North America, and SES NEW SKIES, which provides
global connectivity as well as coverage. The Company also holds
strategic participations in AsiaSat in Asia, Star One in Latin
America, SES Sirius in Europe, Ciel in Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico.
Americom Government Services provides network solutions and bandwidth
to the US government and its contractors. SES provides outstanding
satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 43 satellites on 33
orbital positions around the globe. Additional information on SES is
available at: www.ses-global.com
