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SES AMERICOM's new AMC-21 telecommunication satellite awarded to Alcatel Alenia Space

24 April 2006

Alcatel Alenia Space today announced that it has signed a contract to build a new powerful telecommunication satellite for the U.S. operator SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL company (Luxembourg and Paris Euronext exchanges: SESG). Beginning in mid-2008, the AMC-21 satellite will transmit programming to PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) affiliated television stations throughout the Continental United States (CONUS), Alaska, Hawaii and Caribbean regions, expand occasional resources for broadcasters, and support enterprise communications networks.

As prime contractor, Alcatel Alenia Space will have overall responsibility for the implementation of the AMC-21 program, being in charge of the design, manufacturing, test and delivery on the ground of the AMC-21 satellite, along with Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP), In-Orbit Test (IOT) support and associated services. Alcatel Alenia Space will also provide the communications payload.

Orbital Sciences Corporation (Orbital), as a subcontractor of Alcatel Alenia Space, will provide its small sized GEO spacecraft platform, STAR-2. Alcatel Alenia Space will be responsible for integrating the Orbital bus into the fully assembled satellite. AMC-21 will be fitted with 24 Ku-band transponders, each 36 MHz in bandwidth and will have an operational life time exceeding 16 years. Weighing about 2,500 kilograms at launch and having 6 kW of electrical power, it will operate from 125°West longitude.

Pascale Sourisse, President and CEO of Alcatel Alenia Space said: "This contract strengthens the mutual trust between Alcatel Alenia Space and SES AMERICOM. We are drawing on Orbital's strong heritage in small geostationary platforms to provide SES AMERICOM with a high-performing and reliable spacecraft. The AMC-21 satellite will enable SES AMERICOM to meet the current and future strategic needs of its customers, in terms of robustness and reliability. "

Edward Horowitz, President and CEO of SES AMERICOM, added: "AMC-21 is an important addition to the AMERICOM Fleet. We believe that the combination of Alcatel Alenia Space's innovative design and partnership with Orbital enables us to serve the needs of our customers as they further integrate Ku-band into their distribution portfolios. We are also proud and pleased that the AMC-21 will be anchored by PBS and expect others to join as we introduce our services into new segments within the enterprise arena." AMC-21 is the second satellite ordered by the SES family of companies in North America this year; the Ciel-2 contract was awarded by Ciel Satellite LP of Canada to Alcatel Alenia Space in March. AMC-21 will be the fifth satellite* delivered by Alcatel Alenia Space to SES AMERICOM in seven years.

* AMC-5, AMC-9, AMC-12, AMC-23 About Alcatel Alenia Space
Alcatel Alenia Space is the European leader in satellite systems, at the forefront of orbit infrastructures. Created in July 2005, the company brings together the vast experience and know-how of Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio to form a new leading force in European space technology. Alcatel Alenia Space represents a worldwide standard for space development that impacts everybody's future: from navigation to telecommunications, from meteorology to environmental monitoring, from defense to science and observation. Alcatel Alenia Space is an affiliate of Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) (67%) and Finmeccanica (Milan:SIFI.MI, FNC.IM) (33%).

About SES AMERICOM
The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges: SESG), is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the launch of its first satellite, the company today operates a fleet of 17 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family, SES AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region of the world via a fleet of more than 40 satellites. In addition, AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary, is dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. government. With its combined operations, SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, Internet service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient communication and content distribution solutions.