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Satnews Daily
April 24th, 2014

Ex-Im Bank, Asia Broadcast Satellite + SpaceX—Three Satellite Purchases + Two Launches Are Winners (Event—Awards)


[SatNews] Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) received the Deal of the Year award from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank—the award was presented on April 24th at the Bank’s 39th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

Ex-Im Bank recognized ABS for their purchase of three geostationary satellites, built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) and Boeing Satellite Systems, and two space launches provided by SpaceX. In November 2012, the Bank authorized a total of $471 million in loans to support the transaction. The ABS deal marked the Bank’s first financing of a SpaceX launch and of a new model of Boeing satellites, the 702SP. The 702SP is the first commercial satellite to use all-electric propulsion for orbit-raising. The two Boeing 702SPs will launch on SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets in late 2014 and in 2015.
 
The ABS deal will support approximately 3,700 high tech jobs in the United States, according to Ex-Im Bank estimates derived from the Departments of Commerce and Labor data and methodology.
 
"We are extremely honored to receive this reward, which recognizes the tremendous efforts of everyone involved in these transactions.  We would like to thank Ex-Im Bank again for their support on this landmark financing that will enable ABS to use American-made satellites to achieve its expansion plan to become a global satellite operator." said ABS CFO Sam Wong.
 
In addition, Ex-Im Bank’s financing supported the purchase of a SS/L FS1300, C/Ka/Ku-band satellite, named ABS-2. ABS-2 successfully launched on February 6, 2014, and is one of the largest geostationary satellites in Asia. From its orbital location at 75°E, the satellite will extend affordable and reliable communications and broadcast services to Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Russia/CIS countries.

Ex-Im Bank's 2014 Annual Conference focuses on the global business environment and prospects for growth. The event will feature prominent members of the business and government community including Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Former Treasury Secretary and President Emeritus of Harvard University Lawrence Summers, Wells Fargo Chairman and CEO John Stumpf, SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk, Pemex CEO Emilio Lozoya Austin, and Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe.

A full listing of speakers, panelists, and moderators is available on Ex-Im's website at http://www.exim.gov/.