Space

Lockheed Martin-Built AMC-11 Satellite Ready For Launch From Cape Canaveral Aboard Atlas IIAS

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., May 17th, 2004 -- The AMC-11 telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for SES AMERICOM of Princeton, NJ, is ready for launch May 19 from Cape Canaveral aboard an Atlas IIAS rocket provided by International Launch Services, a Lockheed Martin joint venture.

AMC-11 will carry 24 36 MHz C-band transponders and will be used to provide cable television services to all 50 U.S. states, Mexico and the Caribbean. AMC-11 will replace Satcom C-3 at orbital location 131 degrees West Longitude. When operational later this year, the spacecraft will combine with its twin, AMC-10, to form the HD-PRIME cable neighborhood. AMC-11 is one of three Lockheed Martin-built satellites being launched in 2004 to expand SES-AMERICOM's world-wide fleet of satellites, which provides global distribution of cable, broadcast television and radio programming, mobile communications, business television, broadband data and telecommunications services. Based on the award-winning A2100 satellite series manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, Newtown, Pa., AMC-11 has a design life of 15 years.

The Lockheed Martin A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft series is designed to meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs ranging from Ka-band/broadband services and fixed satellite services in a C-band and Ku-band payload configuration, to high-power direct broadcast services using the Ku-band frequency spectrum. The A2100's modular design features a reduction in parts, simplified construction, increased on-orbit reliability and reduced weight and cost.

About SES AMERICOM
The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM, Inc., is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services. Established in 1973 with its first satellite circuit for the U.S. Armed Forces, the company currently operates a fleet of 15 spacecraft in orbital positions providing service throughout the Americas, across Europe, over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and throughout Asia. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family, AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. SES AMERICOM's key customers include ABC Radio Networks, AT&T Alascom, AOL Time Warner, Deutsche Welle, Discovery, EchoStar, Fox, TV Guide/Gemstar, Gannett, HBO, Hughes Network Systems, NBC, The New York Times, NHK, PaxNet, PBS, TELE Greenland, TV Europa, Verestar, Viacom and, through AMERICOM Government Services, various agencies of the U.S. government.

About International Launch Services (ILS)
ILS markets and manages government and commercial missions on the Atlas rocket to customers worldwide. The company is headquartered in McLean, Va., near Washington, D.C. Atlas rockets and their Centaur upper stages are built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver, Colo.; Harlingen, Texas; and San Diego, Calif.

Dee Valleras, 215-497-4185; e-mail, dee.valleras@lmco.com