SSL selected to provide multi-mission satellite to Eutelsat

EUTELSAT 65 West A leverages SSL's extensive experience and opens new markets for Eutelsat in Brazil and Latin America

PALO ALTO, CA, July 30, 2013 /CNW/ - Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that it was selected to provide a multi-mission satellite to Eutelsat, one of the world's leading satellite operators.  Leveraging SSL's long-term experience with high throughput payloads and satellites that serve multiple missions, the satellite will open new markets for Eutelsat for broadcast and broadband services in Brazil and across Latin America.

"Both Eutelsat and SSL have a mission to broaden the world's ability to communicate through satellite," said John Celli, president of SSL. "This is a complex, flexible and powerful satellite that we are providing to Eutelsat, and we are very glad to have the opportunity to work together."

The satellite, to be known as EUTELSAT 65 West A will provide approximately 16-kW of power at end of life. It will be equipped with 10 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders for video services in addition to 24 Ka-band spot beams for broadband connectivity in key regions.  It will be located at 65 degrees west longitude.

"We look forward to working with SSL on this sophisticated satellite program that will bring Eutelsat expanded and highly flexible communications capability to respond to opportunities in Brazil and across of Latin America that represent some of the fastest-growing regions in the satellite industry," said Michel de Rosen, chief executive officer of Eutelsat.

EUTELSAT 65 West A is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 satellite platform that provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications and technology advances.  Scheduled for launch in early 2016, the satellite is designed to deliver service for 15 years or more.

About Eutelsat Communications

With capacity commercialised on 31 satellites delivering reach of  Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, significant parts of the Americas and the Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading satellite operators. As of 31 March 2013, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 4,600 television channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV contribution, corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband markets. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ over 780 commercial, technical and operational professionals from 30 countries www.eutelsat.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.ssloral.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 common shares trade under the symbol TSX: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.

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SOURCE: MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.

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