ASTRIUM To Build Hot Bird 8 For Eutelsat

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billions of customers

Washington - Sep 15, 2003
Eutelsat, Inc. today announced that its parent company, leading satellite provider Eutelsat S.A., has contracted EADS ASTRIUM, a world leader in space applications, to construct the HOT BIRD(tm) 8 broadcast satellite. HOT BIRD 8 is scheduled to be launched in early 2006 by Arianespace on-board an Ariane 5 rocket.

With 64 transponders that can be operated simultaneously, 58 of which will operate at full power for most of the satellite's lifetime, HOT BIRD 8 is the largest satellite to be ordered by Eutelsat.

It will join the company's family of HOT BIRD broadcasting satellites at 13 degrees East that enable broadcasters around the world to deliver television, radio and interactive content and services to nearly 100 million cable and satellite homes throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

HOT BIRD 8 is intended to replace the current HOT BIRD capacity and join the HOT BIRD 7A satellite in bringing in-orbit sparing to a level where 13 degrees East can maintain its reputation as one of the most secure, multi-satellite video neighborhoods.

The satellite has been designed to cover all 102 Ku-band transponders/frequencies at 13 degrees East, which means that it can substitute any transponder on the other HOT BIRD satellites.

"This contract marks another milestone in our objectives to provide customers with the highest level of performance through a young system of satellites, and to expand back-up facilities at the 13 degrees position, which is the world's leading broadcasting neighborhood," said Eutelsat CEO Giuliano Berretta.

"It underscores our commitment to supporting the growth of satellite television, reaching 40 percent of European households through either direct-to-home or cable."

EADS ASTRIUM, as prime contractor for HOT BIRD 8, will design and build the satellite and supply both the payload and the platform. The spacecraft will have a launch mass of less than 5 tons, a solar array span of 147 feet once deployed in orbit, and a spacecraft solar array power of almost 14,000 watts at end of life. It will provide commercial services for a minimum of 15 years.

HOT BIRD 8 is based on the E3000 version of EADS ASTRIUM's Eurostar family, already ordered by five major satellite operators. 34 Eurostar spacecraft have been ordered to date, of which 23 have already been launched and have proven highly reliable in operational service.

"We are extremely pleased that Eutelsat has reaffirmed its confidence in the superior reliability of Eurostar and our industrial capability," said Antoine Bouvier, CEO of EADS ASTRIUM. "By ordering a Eurostar E3000 for the second time, and for its largest satellite ever, Eutelsat also demonstrates its confidence in EADS ASTRIUM technology."

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