WILTON, Conn., June 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PanAmSat announced today that its Galaxy 16 satellite had successfully soared into space at 12:50 a.m. ET. Launched into orbit by Sea Launch, Galaxy 16 is the 24th satellite in PanAmSat's fleet and its 11th over the United States. The satellite, to be located at 99 degrees west longitude, will replace Galaxy 4R, and join the number-one neighborhood of satellites in the U.S. This is PanAmSat's 43rd satellite since the launch of Galaxy 1 in 1983.
"We promised customers that we would have the most extensive and reliable neighborhood of satellites in the U.S. to deliver standard and HDTV television channels and Galaxy 16 expands on that reality. We've also promised shareholders to build satellites in a capital efficient manner and to launch them with our customers' design requirements. And that's exactly what we've done: Galaxy 16 takes over for Galaxy 4R and the satellite is nearly sold out," said Joe Wright, CEO, PanAmSat. "Galaxy 16 is a broadcasters' dream satellite. With its remarkable power and expansive footprint reaching from Maine to Alaska and Hawaii, it can deliver today and tomorrow's technological advancements. In addition to providing the very clearest broadcast signal, this versatile spacecraft has the digital muscle to deliver IPTV, HDTV or VOD. Galaxy 16 is one blockbuster of a satellite for existing and emerging technologies."
Galaxy 16, a Space Systems/Loral 1300 series satellite, took off into space from the Odyssey Launch Platform on a Zenit-3SL rocket, leaving the earth for its final destination 22,300 miles over the U.S. With its 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band payloads, the satellite will be home to the leading names in television such as: ABC, Comcast, FOX Broadcasting, Warner Bros., Buena Vista and Televisa as well as major customers such as National Public Radio (NPR) and Hughes Network Systems (HNS). This launch brings PanAmSat's customers its trademark reliability and flexibility. With on-time satellite replacements to ensure continual service, two in-orbit spares and a ground spare ready for launching in 4Q 2006, PanAmSat offers customers the industry's best back-up plan and restoration service.
The Loral 1300 satellite platform was first introduced in the mid-1980s and has been developed to deliver increasingly higher power, greater flexibility and longer mission life. The 1300 series has a total satellite power capability ranging from 5 to 25 kW continuously throughout the life of the spacecraft and is able to support from as few as 12 active transponders to as many as 150 transponders.
Galaxy 16 Highlights:
-- PanAmSat's 11th satellite currently over the United States, the 24th in
its fleet.
-- PanAmSat's fourth Space Systems/Loral satellite
-- PanAmSat's fourth Sea Launch mission
-- PanAmSat's 15th consecutive successful launch
-- Nearly sold-out payloads prior to launch
-- Part of PanAmSat's coveted U.S. Galaxy neighborhood of 11 satellites
-- PanAmSat's 43rd satellite since the launch of Galaxy 1 in 1983.
About Space Systems/Loral
Space Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications , is a premier designer, manufacturer and integrator of powerful satellites and satellite systems. SS/L also provides a range of related services that include mission control operations and procurement of launch services. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., the company has an international base of commercial and governmental customers whose applications include broadband digital communications, direct-to-home broadcast, defense communications, environmental monitoring and air traffic control. SS/L satellites have amassed more than 1,300 years of reliable on-orbit service. SS/L is ISO 9001:2000 certified. For more information, visit http://www.ssloral.com/ .
About Sea Launch Company
Sea Launch Company, LLC, headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., is the world's most reliable heavy-lift commercial launch service. This international partnership offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit. With the advantage of a launch site on the Equator, the robust Zenit- 3SL rocket can lift a heavier spacecraft mass or provide longer life on orbit, offering best value plus schedule assurance. Sea Launch is building a legacy, with one successful launch, one satisfied customer, at a time. For additional information and images of this successfully completed mission, please visit the Sea Launch website at: http://www.sea-launch.com/ .
About PanAmSat
Through its owned and operated fleet of 24 satellites, PanAmSat is a leading global provider of video, broadcasting and network distribution and delivery services. It transmits nearly 2,000 television channels worldwide and, as such, is the leading carrier of standard and high-definition signals. In total, the Company's in-orbit fleet is capable of reaching over 98 percent of the world's population through cable television systems, broadcast affiliates, direct-to-home operators, Internet service providers and telecommunications companies. In addition, PanAmSat supports the largest concentration of satellite-based business networks in the U.S., as well as specialized communications services in remote areas throughout the world. For more information, visit the Company's Web site at http://www.panamsat.com/ .
