Press releases

Palo Alto, Calif. – December 22, 2016 — Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, today announced that the Star One D1 satellite, which it designed and built for Embratel Star One, was launched yesterday and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan. The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. It will begin firing its main thruster later today in order to propel it toward its final geostationary orbit. The satellite will be used to provide a range of services in Latin America including high-speed communications and television broadcast.

“Star One D1 is a complex, multi-mission satellite that will broaden access to the digital world for people in South, North and Central America, including Mexico,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “SSL is gratified to be a part of that effort and we are pleased that the satellite is performing as expected.”

Star One D1 is the second satellite that SSL built for Embratel Star One.  SSL also provided Star One C4, which was launched in 2015 and is currently providing Direct-To-Home television service in Brazil and has expanded Embratel Star One’s broadcasting services to other Latin American countries and to the United States.

Star One D1 is equipped with C-, Ku-, and Ka-band payloads and serves multiple missions, including telecommunications, television broadcast, cellular backhaul, internet access, and other services such as digital inclusion in Brazil and in the Latin American region.

“Star One D1 is the first of our fourth generation family of satellites, and will enter service as our largest and most powerful satellite,” said Gustavo Silbert, president of Embratel Star One. “SSL is a world class satellite manufacturer and has been an innovative partner in the development of our satellite fleet.”

Star One D1 is based on the highly flexible SSL 1300 platform, which has the capability to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The satellite, which is designed to provide service for 15 years or more, will be located at 84 degrees West longitude. Star One D1 shared a launch vehicle with another SSL-built satellite, JCSAT-15, which is also performing according to plan on orbit. 

 

About EMBRATEL STAR ONE 
Embratel Star One is the largest satellite operator in Brazil and Latin America, as well as one of the most representative companies in the world in its sector. Created on December 2000 as a subsidiary of Embratel, it has a fleet of nine satellites. In addition to Star One D1, it controls five satellites in geostationary orbit (Star One C1, C2, C3, C4 and C12) and three in inclined orbit (Brasilsat B2, B3 and B4). The satellites are controlled by Guaratiba Center (Rio de Janeiro), the first in the world to receive the quality certificate ISO 9001:2000. With its satellites, Embratel Star One offers services of data transmission, telephony, TV, radio and Internet. For more information access www.starone.com.br/en/.

About SSL
Space Systems Loral (SSL) is a leading provider of commercial satellites with broad expertise to support satellite operators and innovative space related missions. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband internet, mobile communications, and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley innovator for more than 50 years, SSL’s advanced product line also includes state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics and automation solutions for remote operations.  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.

# # #