SSL selected to provide Intelsat 36 satellite

PALO ALTO, CA, Aug. 4, 2014 /CNW/ - Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that it was selected to provide a communications satellite to Intelsat S.A (NYSE:  I), the world's leading provider of satellite services. Intelsat 36 is designed to provide media and content distribution services in Africa and South Asia.

"Intelsat and SSL have a history of four decades of working together," said John Celli, president of SSL. "There is no better endorsement of our capabilities than repeat business from a long term customer. We would like to thank Intelsat for its ongoing trust and confidence in SSL and we look forward to working closely together on the Intelsat 36 program."

The satellite will be located over the Indian Ocean to provide both Ku- and C-band services, with MultiChoice, Africa's leading pay TV provider, utilizing the Ku-band payload. The C-band payload will provide video services to other customers who distribute content to South Asian cable communities.

"With one of our fastest growing DTH customers looking for additional satellite bandwidth to expand their subscriber services, the IS-36 satellite is very important to our media business in Africa," said Thierry Guillemin, EVP and Chief Technical Officer of Intelsat. "SSL's strong track record of working with Intelsat makes us confident that they will meet the exacting requirements necessary to help our customers further expand their business." 

The satellite design is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 satellite platform that provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications and technology advances.  It is scheduled for launch in 2016.  With Intelsat 36, SSL will have a total of four Intelsat spacecraft under construction in its manufacturing facility.

About Intelsat

Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) is the world's leading provider of satellite services, delivering high performance connectivity solutions for media, fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure, enterprise and government and military applications for 50 years. Intelsat's satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video and broadband services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and mobile broadband access, with Intelsat, envision your future network, connect using our leading satellite technology and transform your opportunities. Envision…Connect…Transform…with Intelsat, celebrating 50 years of space leadership in 2014. For more information, visit www.intelsat.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."

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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.

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SOURCE: MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.

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