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 provides 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,” said 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,”
said 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.
For more information please see http://www.amos-spacecom.com.
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SpaceX
Emily Shanklin
Director, Marketing and Communications
310-363-6733
media@SpaceX.com