SSL selected to build high-power, multi-mission satellite AsiaSat 9

PALO ALTO, CA, and HONG KONG, Dec. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Space Systems/Loral (SSL), and Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) today announced the signing of a construction agreement for a high power, multi-mission satellite, AsiaSat 9, to be used for television broadcast, private networks and broadband services across the Asia Pacific. The satellite is expected to be launched in 2016.

"SSL and AsiaSat have developed a successful working relationship based on our mutual focus on quality, reliability and value," said John Celli, President of SSL. "This is our fifth satellite contract award from AsiaSat since 2006, and we feel there is no better endorsement of our success than this repeat business."

Designed to operate in C, Ku, and Ka-band, AsiaSat 9 will be located at 122 degrees East Longitude where it will replace AsiaSat 4. AsiaSat 9 will provide service to multiple markets with more active transponders and higher power performance than the current satellite.

"We can depend on our trusted partner SSL to build the highly reliable satellites that have helped us earn a reputation for quality service and technical excellence," said William Wade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat. "We are very pleased that the AsiaSat 9 project is underway and once launched, it will greatly expand our ability to serve the Asia-Pacific region with higher power and multi-beam coverage."

The satellite is based on the SSL 1300 space-proven platform, which has a long history of reliability and provides the power and flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The AsiaSat 9 spacecraft is designed with the flexibility to include a weather sensor, at a future date.

AsiaSat's two new satellites AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 8, scheduled for launch in the first half of 2014, are also built by SSL.

About AsiaSat

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), the leading regional satellite operator in Asia, serves over two-thirds of the world's population with its four satellites, AsiaSat 3S at 105.5ºE, AsiaSat 4 at 122ºE, AsiaSat 5 at 100.5ºE and AsiaSat 7. 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 latest satellites, AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 8, are planned to be launched in the first half of 2014. It 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, and mobile communications.  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. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development.

MDA's well-established global customer base is served by more than 4,500 employees operating from 11 offices located in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.'s (MDA) common shares trade under the symbol TSX: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 news release.

SOURCE: MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.

For further information:

Space Systems/Loral
Wendy Lewis
Tel : [phone]
Email: [email protected]

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited
Sabrina Cubbon, Vice President, Sales and Marketing  
Tel : [phone]
Mobile : [phone]
Email : [email protected] 

Winnie Pang, Manager, Corporate Affairs
Tel : [phone]
Email : [email protected]

Wendy Keyzer
MDA External Relations
[phone]
[email protected]