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| [December 12, 2012] |
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Sat�lites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. ("Satmex") Announces Satmex 5 Life Extension and Status of Satmex 8 Launch
MEXICO CITY --(Business Wire)--
Satmex is pleased to announce that an extensive three month testing and
analysis conducted by COMSAT Technical Services ("CTS (News - Alert)") regarding the
remaining lifetime of Satmex 5 has just been completed. Satmex
contracted CTS to conduct a detailed Propellant Gauging System ("PGS")
study of Satmex 5 in September 2012. CTS's PGS methodology is deemed to
yield the most accurate results in determining the remaining lifetime of
an in-orbit satellite. On December 12, 2012 Satmex finalized the
analysis of the results which determined the three-sigma worst case end
of station-kept operational lifetime for Satmex 5 is October 5, 2013.
Separately, in reference to the recent International Launch Services (News - Alert)
("ILS") press release on December 9, 2012 regarding the Proton Breeze M
anomaly, the launch date for Satmex 8, a C- and Ku- band satellite, is
likely to be delayed. Satmex will be participating in the ILS Failure
Review Oversight Board (FROB), and is confident that the anomaly will be
resolved and return to flight will occur in a timely manner.
Patricio Northland, Chief Executive Officer of Satmex, said, "while the
latest Proton Breeze M anomaly is unfortunate for ILS and the satellite
industry, we have the utmost respect for ILS and Khrunichev, and are
confident that ILS will return to reliable operations in the very near
future. Satmex is honored to participate in the FROB, and will work
closely with ILS, Khrunichev, and other industry leaders to ensure hat
corrective actions are well developed and implemented in a reliable
manner. Meanwhile, we are very pleased to announce that the worst case
projected lifetime of Satmex 5 has been extended into the fourth quarter
of 2013, providing adequate time to reach resolution and execute the
corrective actions necessary to ensure the reliable launch of Satmex 8
which will then be used to replace Satmex 5."
Satmex 8 will have 24 C-band transponders, and 40 active Ku-band
transponders which represents 19 additional high power Ku-band
transponders to the current transponder capacity on Satmex 5. This
additional capacity will enable the Company to serve the increasing
demand for satellite capacity in Latin America, and will provide growth
for the Company until the launch of Satmex 7 in early 2015.
About Satmex
Sat�lites Mexicanos ("Satmex") is a significant provider of fixed
satellite services ("FSS") in the Americas, coverage of more than 90% of
the population of the region across more than 45 nations and
territories. As one of only two privately-managed FSS providers based in
Latin America, Satmex (together with its predecessors) has designed,
procured, launched and operated three generations of satellites over a
25 year period. Satmex's current fleet is comprised of three satellites
in highly attractive, contiguous orbital slots that enable its customers
to effectively serve their entire coverage footprint utilizing a single
satellite connection.
For further information, visit www.satmex.com
Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. All
forward-looking statements in this news release reflect Satmex's current
analysis of existing facts and information and represent Satmex's
judgment only as of the date of this news release. Actual events or
results might differ materially from these statements due to risks and
uncertainties. Among other things, Satmex cannot be certain of the
amount of expenditures that ultimately will be required to build and
launch Satmex 8, the successful completion of the Satmex 8 program or
the effect of any such events or matters on Satmex's customers,
financial condition and results of operations. Satmex expressly
disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking
statements, except as required by law. For a discussion of certain of
the risks, uncertainties and other factors affecting the statements
contained in this news release, see the Company's Annual Report on Form
20-F for the year ended December�31, 2010 and subsequent Periodic
Reports on Form 6-K.
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