Space Systems/Loral Resumes Construction of WildBlue-1, the World's First All Ka-Band Commercial Communications Satellite
Thursday March 13, 3:26 pm ET
biz.yahoo.com
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2003--Space Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (NYSE: LOR - News), today announced that it has resumed construction of WildBlue-1, the world's first commercially dedicated all-Ka-band, multiple spot-beam broadband satellite, for WildBlue Communications, Inc., Denver, CO.
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WildBlue recently announced that INTELSAT, Liberty Satellite & Technology, Inc., the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and David Drucker, WildBlue's chairman, agreed to invest $156 million in the company, which will allow WildBlue to enter commercial service in 2004 and complete its investment in the WildBlue-1 satellite.
"Space Systems/Loral is proud to be at the forefront of providing the most advanced and reliable satellite technology to operators around the world," said C. Patrick DeWitt, president, Space Systems/Loral. "The continuation of the WildBlue project will provide important and timely broadband services to users across North America."
WildBlue-1 is designed to provide consumers and small businesses in the United States fast and affordable two-way wireless Internet access using a mini-dish antenna. WildBlue-1 is currently scheduled to launch aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle.
The Satellite
WildBlue-1 will generate more than 10 kW of power at beginning of life, and will cover North America with 41 overlapping Ka-band spot beams. Eight tracking antennas on board the satellite provide precision pointing of the beams over the contiguous United States. The 4.7 metric ton spacecraft will operate from the 109.2 degrees West longitude orbital position.
WildBlue-1 is based on SS/L's 1300 satellite platform and is designed to achieve a long, useful life, in this case over 12 years. The satellite achieves excellent station-keeping and orbital stability by using bipropellant propulsion and momentum-bias systems. A system of high-efficiency solar arrays and batteries provides uninterrupted electrical power. In all, SS/L satellites have amassed nearly 1,000 years of on-orbit service.
The Companies
WildBlue Communications, Inc., based in Denver, Colorado, plans to roll out affordable broadband services via satellite direct to homes and small offices throughout the contiguous United States in 2004. WildBlue was founded to accelerate consumer broadband access to the Internet. WildBlue's solution intends to deliver on consumer desires for a fast, affordable, simple, reliable, always-on and two-way technology for wireless Internet access. For more information, visit wildblue.com.
Space Systems/Loral is a premier designer, manufacturer, and integrator of powerful satellites and satellite systems. SS/L also provides a range of related services that includes 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, governmental communications, environmental monitoring, and air traffic control. SS/L is ISO 9001 certified. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.
Loral Space & Communications is a satellite communications company. It owns and operates a global fleet of telecommunications satellites used by television and cable networks to broadcast video entertainment programming, and by communication service providers, resellers, corporate and government customers for broadband data transmission, Internet services and other value-added communications services. Loral also is a world-class leader in the design and manufacture of satellites and satellite systems for commercial and government applications through its Space Systems/Loral subsidiary. For more information, visit Loral's web site at www.loral.com.
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, Loral Space & Communications Ltd. or its representatives have made or may make forward-looking statements, orally or in writing, which may be included in, but are not limited to, various filings made by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases or oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer of the company. Actual results could differ materially from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements as a result of a wide variety of factors and conditions, which have been described in the section of the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, entitled "Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results," and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The reader is specifically referred to these documents.
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Contact:
Loral Space & Communications
John McCarthy, 212/338-5345
or
WildBlue Communications
Brad Greenwald, 720/554-7400 Ext. 7403 |
