Arianespace to Launch AMC-21 Satellite

PARIS, Feb. 22, 2007/Satnews Daily/ ― Arianespace will launch the AMC-21 telecommunications satellite in the second quarter of 2008. The spacecraft, to lift off from Europe's Spaceport at the Space Center in French Guiana, will be the 26th satellite deployed by Arianespace for the SES family of companies.

AMC-21, under construction by Alcatel Alenia Space, will have a liftoff mass of some 2500 kg. The satellite is based on Orbital Science's Star-2 satellite bus, and will provide high-powered satellite services with its payload of 24 active Ku-band transponders.

To be operated by SES Americom, AMC-21 is designed for a minimum operational lifetime of 15 years. It will offer television and enterprise distribution services across the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America from the orbital position of 125 degrees West.

Edward Horowitz, president and CEO of SES Americom, said there is a high degree of demand for Ku-band capability in North America. "AMC-21 is an important component in our spectrum of service offerings; it is designed to meet the growth demands of our media, enterprise and new services customers."

Arianespace CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said they were extremely gratified to be chosen again by SES to launch one of their satellites and advance their coverage of the Americas. "It is appropriate that the contract for AMC-21 follows on the heels of Arianespace's recent successful launch of another SES satellite, AMC-18," he noted.

Arianespace holds 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 275 satellite payloads.

SES Americom is the largest supplier of satellite services in the Americas. Established in 1973 with its first satellite circuit for the U.S. Department of Defense, the company currently operates a fleet of 16 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES family, SES Americom is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world.

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