The Orion 2 satellite, featuring 38 high-powered Ku-band transponders, will cover all of Europe: from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains--and large sections of North America and Latin America: from eastern Canada to southern Argentina. In addition, the satellite will deliver spot beam coverage of South Africa.

"Orion 2, the third operational satellite behind our next-to-be-launched Asian bird, Orion 3, will complete the current phase of Loral Orion's global expansion," said Neil Bauer, president of Loral Orion. "From its ideal orbital location at 12 degrees West Longitude, Orion 2 will provide service to customers among the major business and population centers on the East Coast of North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and South Africa, using only one satellite."

The 10 kilowatt Orion 2 satellite will be based on SS/L's flight-proven three-axis, body-stabilized FS-1300 bus, and will have a mass of 3,800 kilograms, when it is launched aboard an Ariane 44LP launch vehicle in May 1999. The spacecraft will have an expected lifetime of 16 years.

"SS/L has added features to its new design of the Orion 2 satellite that expand its revenue potential," said Robert Berry, president of Space Systems/Loral. "These features include eight additional transponders, more transmittable power, an enhanced transponder switching capability, and three additional years in expected lifetime."

Based in Rockville, Md., Loral Orion, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications, is an international satellite communications company that leases capacity for video transmissions by television and other program distributors. It also provides Internet access and private network services directly to Internet Service Providers and multinational businesses worldwide. Services include data networking, voice, video, teleconferencing and news distribution to multiple points worldwide.

SSL Page on FS1300 Bus

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Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005
The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India.