Arianespace Lands SATMEX 6 Contract; Prepares Enviasat for February 28 Launch

Arianespace prepares for fueling of the large Envisat payload in the Spaceport's new S5 satellite preparation building. (Arianespace photo)

Washington, D.C./February 8, 2002/Satnews/ -- Private Mexican operator Satélites Mexicanos S.A. de C.V. (Satmex) has selected Europe's Ariane to launch its Satmex 6 satellite from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, during the first quarter of 2003. The launch contract should be signed shortly.

Satmex 6, a Space Systems/Loral-built satellite, is currently under construction at SS/L's facilities in Palo Alto, California. Weighing approximately 5,700 kilograms at liftoff, the satellite will be positioned at 109.2 degrees West and carry 36 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders. Satmex will use the state-of-the-art Satmex 6 satellite to bolster its telecommunications and internet transmission capacity for all of Mexico, as well as other parts of North America and Latin America.

"This choice once again demonstrates our adaptability and flexibility," said Jean-Marie Luton, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, emphasizing the importance of Satmex's decision. "Today, only Arianespace and Ariane 5 give operators fast access to space for their heavy satellites. We are extremely proud of our role in building the Mexican telecommunications system, and of Satmex's renewed confidence in us. This will be the fourth Mexican satellite launched by Arianespace, and the second for Satmex, following Satmex 5, which was launched on Flight 114 in December 1998."

"Our team selected Ariane after a thorough evaluation of all possible Satmex 6 launch options," said Lauro González, president, Satmex. "Ariane provides Satmex with the most reliable solution to launch what will be the largest and most important satellite for Satmex and México."

Satmex, the leading Mexican satellite operator in the Americas, owns and operates a satellite system through which it offers broadcast, telephone and telecommunications services to 37 countries in the region. The Satmex fleet also helps develop rural areas by offering distance learning, and rural telephony services to remote locations. And, through its business partners in the NAFTA region and Latin America, Satmex provides high-speed connectivity to ISPs and Digital Broadcast Services (DBS), thus contributing to the integration of Latin America with the rest of the Continent. Satmex is ISO 9001 certified.

Satmex is a member of the Loral Global Alliance and offers its customers the advantages of a worldwide network of satellite capacity, providing global satellite solutions to the needs and requirements of the Americas. 

Principia is a leading Mexican telecommunications company that is majority owned by the Autrey family and Mr. Lauro Gonzalez. In 1997, Principia and Loral Space & Communications were selected to acquire 75 percent of Satmex in connection with the privatization of Mexico's fixed satellite services.

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, including mission control operations and procurement of launch services. Based in Palo Alto, California, the company has an international base of commercial and governmental customers whose applications include broadband digital communications, wireless telephony, direct-to-home broadcast, defense communications, environmental monitoring, and air traffic control. SS/L is ISO 9001 certified. 

Meanwhile, Arianespace said preparations have begun for fueling of the large Envisat payload in the Spaceport's new S5 satellite preparation building. Envisat is the first spacecraft to undergo processing in the massive new S5 facility, which was developed by Arianespace to meet the growing size of satellite payloads and customer requirements for faster and more cost effective launch campaigns.

While Envisat is one of the largest satellites built by Europe, it is accommodated with ease in the S5A fueling and integration hall of the S5 facility. In this picture, personnel conduct tests in preparation for the satellite's fueling with monopropellant hydrazine. After its February 28 launch, Envisat will be operated by the European Space Agency to monitor the Earth and its environment in unprecedented detail.

A system control check is performed as preparations are made for fueling of the Envisat spacecraft in the S5A hall. Envisat has a maximum overall mass of 8,500 kg. at launch, and will be filled with a nominal propellant load of 314 kg. of monopropellant hydrazine, which is to be carried in four tanks of the propulsion subsystem.

Arianespace is the commercial launch services leader, holding more than 50 percent of the international market for satellites launched to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Created in 1980 as the world's first commercial space transportation company, Arianespace has signed contracts for the launch of more than 240 satellite payloads. 

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