PanAmSat announced Monday new orders for three satellites from Hughes Space and Communications for launch over the next 15 months. PanAmSat has also arranged with Hughes for up to three ground spare spacecraft that could be completed as replacement or supplemental satellites on an expedited basis. In addition, PanAmSat has selected Arianespace to provide two additional launches, one of which will be used to deploy the Galaxy XI satellite in March/April 1999 on an Ariane 4 rocket.
“Our selection of Hughes and Arianespace reflects PanAmSat’s
commitment to virtually double our satellite capacity over the next
15 months, growing our global network to 25 satellites and more than
900 transponders,” said Frederick A. Landman, PanAmSat’s president
and chief executive officer. “Hughes provides PanAmSat with
unparalleled flexibility to deliver multiple satellites for specific
markets on an expedited basis. The Ariane 4 vehicle will enable us
to reduce potential risk and ensure the timely launch of Galaxy XI,
our next satellite for the United States.
PanAmSat has ordered three HS 601 HP satellites from Hughes. The
satellites are:
- Galaxy IV-R, the replacement for the Galaxy IV satellite to be
located at 99 degrees West Longitude over the United States; - Galaxy X-R, the replacement for the Galaxy X satellite to be
located at 123 degrees West Longitude over the United States; and - A new international satellite to meet specific market demand for
satellite-based broadcast and telecommunications services.
Galaxy XI, a Hughes HS 702 satellite, contains 64 transponders
providing coverage of North America and Brazil. The spacecraft,
which will be located initially at 99 degrees West Longitude, will be
the most powerful commercial satellite to serve the United States.
PanAmSat originally planned to launch Galaxy XI on the first mission
of the Sea Launch vehicle. PanAmSat, Hughes and Boeing Co. are
supporting the use of the first Sea Launch as a demonstration mission
instead. PanAmSat intends to launch a future satellite on the Sea
Launch vehicle during the 4th quarter of 1999.
With the three new HS 601 HP spacecraft, PanAmSat expects to
launch eight additional satellites over the next 15 months,
consisting of two new satellites for Latin America, one for Asia,
four for the United States and one additional international
satellite. By the year 2000, PanAmSat expects to operate 25
satellites with significant service expansion and backup
capabilities, including multiple satellites in each ocean region
worldwide and at least two in-orbit spare satellites (Galaxy VI and
SBS-6) for the United States. The company will also have ground
spare satellites at its disposal for launch on an expedited basis.
PanAmSat is the world’s leading commercial provider of
satellite-based communications services. The company operates a global
network of 17 satellites supported by PanAmSat professionals on five
continents. These resources enable PanAmSat to provide video and
telecommunications services to hundreds of customers worldwide.
PanAmSat resources and services include:
- The premier cable and broadcast television satellites in the
United States, Latin America, the Indian subcontinent and the
Asia-Pacific; - Satellite platforms for current and planned direct-to-home
television services in Latin America, South Africa, the Middle East,
India and the United States; - Live transmission services for news, sports and special events
coverage worldwide; and - Global satellite-based telecommunications services and Internet
access.
The next launch will be the deployment of PAS-8, PanAmSat’s
fourth satellite serving Asia, on a Proton rocket in early November
1998.
