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SSL-built AsiaSat 8 begins post-launch maneuvers according to plan(Canada Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) PALO ALTO,CA, Aug. 5, 2014 /CNW/ -Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that the AsiaSat 8 satellite, designed and built for Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat), was launched this morning and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan. The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard a Falcon 9 launch vehicle provided by SpaceX. The satellite will begin firing its main thruster early tomorrow morning in order to start maneuvering into geostationary orbit. "I would like to thank and congratulate everyone at AsiaSat, SpaceX and SSL who contributed to the successful launch of AsiaSat 8," said John Celli, President of SSL. "This is the third SSL-built satellite to join the AsiaSat fleet. We are very pleased to support AsiaSat in its fleet expansion, and believe that our ongoing relationship reflects a shared focus on quality, reliability and value." AsiaSat 8 is designed to provide direct-to-home (DTH) television service, data broadcasting, and telecommunications services in Asia and the Middle East where it will help meet growing market demand and ensure the delivery of exceptionally high power and quality service to its customers. The satellite will be co-located with SSL-built AsiaSat 7, and will have four Ku-band beams serving China, India, the Middle East and South East Asia and a Ka-band payload. "We have had a close working relationship with SSL for many years," said William Wade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat. "We are very satisfied with the technology and value that SSL has provided to us. We look forward to bringing to our customers AsiaSat 8's enhanced power and coverage in the region." AsiaSat 8 is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 platform, which has the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. With this launch, there are 75 SSL-built operational satellites currently on orbit. SSL has two additional satellites for AsiaSat in its backlog including AsiaSat 6 which is scheduled to be the next Falcon 9 launch. About AsiaSat Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), a leading satellite operator in Asia, serves over two-thirds of the world's population with its five satellites, AsiaSat 3S, AsiaSat 4, AsiaSat 5, AsiaSat 7 and the newly launched AsiaSat 8. The AsiaSat satellite fleet provides services to both the broadcast and telecommunications industries. Over 450 television and radio channels are now delivered by the company's satellites offering access to over 710 million TV households across the Asia-Pacific region. AsiaSat also provides telecommunications operators and end users services such as voice networks, private VSAT networks and broadband multimedia. AsiaSat's next satellite, AsiaSat 6 is scheduled for launch later this month. AsiaSat 9 which is on order from SSL is planned to be launched in 2017. AsiaSat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited, a company listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (Stock Code: 1135). For more information, please visit www.asiasat.com. About SSL SSL, a subsidiary of MDA, has a long history of delivering reliable satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. As a leading provider of commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite operators to provide spacecraft for a broad range of services including television and radio distribution, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, mobile communications, and Earth observation. Billions of people around the world depend on SSL satellites every day. For more information, visit www.sslmda.com. About MDA MDA is a global communications and information company providing operational solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide. MDA's business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, primarily in the Communications sector and the Surveillance and Intelligence sector. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development. MDA's established global customer base is served by more than 4,800 employees operating from 11 locations in the United States, Canada, and internationally. MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.'s (MDA) common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDA." Related Websites www.mdacorporation.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. and its subsidiaries (collectively "MDA" or the "Company") with respect to future events and financial performance. When used in this news release, the words "believes", "expects", "plans", "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "anticipates", "estimates", "project", "intend" or "outlook" or other variations of these words or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance; risks associated with satellite manufacturing, including competition, cyclicality of MDA's end-user markets, contractual risks, creditworthiness of customers, performance of suppliers and management of MDA's factory and personnel; risk associated with financial factors such as volatility in exchange rates, increases in interest rates, restrictions on access to capital, and swings in global financial markets; risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation, including export controls and economic sanctions; and other risks, including litigation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information contained in this news release reflects MDA's beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, MDA disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein. For additional information with respect to certain of these risks or factors, plus additional risks or factors, reference should be made to the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which are available online under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.mdacorporation.com. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the form or content of this release. SOURCE MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. |