PA Panamsat Holding Cor

LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sea Launch Company has signed an agreement with PanAmSat (NYSE:PA) for the launch of the Horizons-2 satellite, the second commercial mission scheduled to fly on the Land Launch system from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan. PanAmSat is executing one of several launch options as part of an agreement signed with Sea Launch on July 12, 2005. The agreement provides for a Zenit-3SLB vehicle to lift the Horizons-2 satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) from Baikonur in 2007. Built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, the 2,300 kg (5,070 lb) STAR-2 spacecraft will be located at 74 degrees West Longitude. Horizons-2 is a new high-powered Ku-band satellite that will support services ranging from digital video, high-definition television (HDTV) and IP-based content distribution networks to broadband Internet and satellite newsgathering services (SNG) in the U.S. market. Horizons-2 is a joint venture between PanAmSat and JSAT Corporation. This is the second mission Sea Launch will perform for the Horizons venture. In September of 2003, Sea Launch successfully launched the 4,090 kg (9081 lb) Galaxy XIII/Horizons-1 satellite to GTO. The Land Launch system is based on the collaboration of the Sea Launch Company and Space International Services (SIS), both international companies, to meet the launch needs of an emerging market for dedicated commercial launches in the medium spacecraft mass range. Leveraging heritage hardware, systems and expertise, Land Launch uses a Zenit-3SLB version of the Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket from the existing Zenit launch site at Baikonur to lift commercial satellites in the 2000-3600 kg range to GTO. Sea Launch and SIS provide commercial customers with mission management while SIS is responsible for hardware production and launch operations. Land Launch uses Boeing's experience and hardware acceptance procedures that have contributed to the outstanding launch record of the Sea Launch system. For additional information about Land Launch, please go to: http://www.sea-launch.com/land-launch/index.html About PanAmSat Through its owned and operated fleet of 25 satellites, PanAmSat (NYSE:PA) is a leading global provider of video, broadcasting and network distribution and delivery services. It transmits 1,991 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 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/ About JSAT Corporation JSAT is a leading satellite operator in the Asia-Pacific region. The company owns and operates nine satellites in eight orbital slots. JSAT provides communications and broadcasting services that offer a range of unique features made possible by satellite communications which is well suited to support the high-volume, wide-distribution, high-speed networks. JSAT is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. For more information on JSAT, visit the company's web site at http://www.jsat.net/en/ About Orbital Sciences Corporation Orbital develops and manufactures small space systems for commercial, civil government and military customers. The company's primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-orbit, geostationary and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing and scientific missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense boosters that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also offers space-related technical services to government agencies and develops and builds satellite-based transportation management systems for public transit agencies and private vehicle fleet operators. More information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com/ About Space International Services Space International Services is a Moscow-based venture, founded by SDO Yuzhnoye and PO Yuzhmash of Ukraine, RSC Energia, the Design Bureau of Transport Machinery (KBTM), TseNKI (Center for Ground-based Space Infrastructure) and Ural Mining and Metallurgy Company (OAO UGMK) of Russia, with the firm support of the Russian Federal Space Agency, headed by Mr. A. N. Perminov. About Sea Launch Company Sea Launch Company, LLC, based in Long Beach, Calif., provides reliable heavy lift launch services to commercial satellite customers. Its international partners include Boeing (U.S.), Kvaerner ASA (Norway), RSC Energia (Russia) and SDO Yuzhnoye/PO Yuzhmash (Ukraine). Established in 1995, Sea Launch has completed 16 successful missions to date. For additional information, please visit http://www.sea-launch.com/ DATASOURCE: The Sea Launch Company CONTACT: Paula Korn of The Sea Launch Company, +1-562-499-4729, or mobile, +1-562-254-5684, Web site: http://www.sea-launch.com/land-launch/index.html Web site: http://www.panamsat.com/ Web site: http://www.jsat.net/en Web site: http://www.orbital.com/ Web site: http://www.sea-launch.com/

Copyright