Satellite News

HAWTHORNE, Calif. – (Business Wire) Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Space Communication Ltd. (Spacecom) of Ramat-Gan Israel, operator of the AMOS satellite fleet, have signed an agreement for launch of a communication satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 as early as December 2012. Falcon 9 will insert the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), adding to Spacecom’s existing satellite fleet. Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) is also involved in the transaction.

Spacecom delivers broadcasting and communications services to DBS and DTH operators, as well as a wide range of broadcasters, ISPs, telecommunications operators, government organizations and network integrators with Internet, voice, data and digital TV services. This latest deal supports company plans to launch at least four additional satellites in the coming years to multiple orbital positions.

“As a highly competitive solution for in-orbit delivery, Falcon 9 supports us as we transition into a leading global satellite services provider,” informed David Pollack, president and CEO of Spacecom. “With a larger fleet providing more service options and capacity, we can continue to provide the highest quality satellite communications services and exceed customer expectations.”

“SpaceX is proud to be Spacecom’s launch services provider and we look forward to helping ensure the successful delivery of their satellite,” informed Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX. “In closing this deal, SpaceX now has twenty three Falcon 9 flights on contract representing a variety of commercial and government customers, for both LEO and GTO missions.”

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is a medium-to-heavy lift, two-stage launch vehicle capable of lifting approximately 11 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO) and in excess of 4.5 tons to GTO. Designed to the highest levels of reliability and performance, Falcon 9, along with SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, was selected by NASA to resupply the International Space Station starting in 2010.

About SpaceX

SpaceX is developing a family of launch vehicles and spacecraft intended to increase the reliability and reduce the cost of both manned and unmanned space transportation, ultimately by a factor of ten. With the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 vehicles, SpaceX offers highly reliable/cost-efficient launch capabilities for spacecraft insertion into any orbital altitude and inclination. Starting in 2010, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will provide Earth-to-LEO transport of pressurized and unpressurized cargo, including resupply to the International Space Station.

Founded in 2002, SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The SpaceX team now numbers nearly 900, with corporate headquarters in Hawthorne, California. For more information, please visit the company’s web site at www.spacex.com.

About Spacecom

Space-Communication Ltd. (Spacecom) is the operator of the AMOS satellites, which provide high-quality broadcast and communication services to Europe, the Middle East, and the Atlantic bridge to the United States. The AMOS satellite constellation, consisting of AMOS-2 and AMOS-3, co-located at the prime orbital position of 4°W, serves Direct-To-Home and other Television platforms in Europe and the Middle East, as well as provides a secure and stable transmission to government agencies. The extensive signal strength and prime location makes the AMOS platform particularly suitable for DBS and DTH operators, as well as a wide range of broadcasters, ISPs, telecommunications operators, and network integrators with Internet, voice, data and digital TV services.

The AMOS-5i satellite, the latest addition to the AMOS fleet, started service January 2010. With a position at 17°E, a new orbital position, Spacecom’s coverage is expanding to Africa. AMOS-5i provides powerful C-Band and Ku-Band coverage over Africa and is serving as an interim satellite until the AMOS-5 satellite’s scheduled launch in mid-2011. Once operational, the AMOS-5 satellite will replace the AMOS-5i in its orbital position, expanding both coverage areas and capacity, to deliver high-power C-Band and Ku-Band capacity to the entire African continent. AMOS-5 and AMOS-5i complement Spacecom’s existing satellite fleet consisting of AMOS-2 and AMOS-3, and together with AMOS-4, slated for launch in 2012 to serve Asia, establish Spacecom as a true global satellite operator.

Spacecom is traded on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange (SCC). Its major shareholders are Eurocom, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), General Satellite Services Co. (GSSC) and Mer Services Group.