Space

Star One C1 telecommunication satellite, built by Thales Alenia Space, successfully launched

14 November 2007

Cannes, November 14, 2007 - An Ariane 5 ECA from Kourou, French Guiana, successfully launched today the Star One C1 communications satellite, built by Prime Contractor Thales Alenia Space.

Star One, the largest satellite Solution Company in Latin America and a pioneer in satellite broadband Internet, is owned by Embratel (80%) and GE International Holdings (20%). Star One C1, a strategic addition to Star One's fleet of 5 C-Band satellites will provide telecommunication, multimedia and high-speed Internet services to South America.

Star One C1 will expand the operator's scope of services and reinforce Star One's position as the major regional operator in Latin America. For Brazil, it is also a major technological milestone, and, along with the CBERS observation program, consolidates the country's regional leadership. Lastly, it is a major event for Thales Alenia Space, as it further strengthens its presence in the key commercial and military satellite communications market in South America.

Star One C1 spacecraft is based on the Thales Alenia Space flagship Spacebus platform. It will join forty-nine other Spacebus satellites already launched, and will be joined by 12 more currently being manufactured at our plants in Toulouse, Roma and Cannes. The satellite will carry 28 transponders in C-band, 16 in Ku-band and 1 in X-band, weighs 4100 kg at launch, and an electrical power of 10.5 kW (beginning of life). It will be positioned at 65° West.

Pascale Sourisse, CEO of Thales Alenia Space notes: "As the European leader in satellite systems, Thales Alenia Space is very proud of its contribution to the first of the new generation Star One communications satellite, which will deliver enhanced performance and opportunities for Star One and its customers. The new satellite will carry out a dual mission, with a cutting-edge commercial payload, as well as the ability to provide military satellite communications services for the Brazilian Ministry of Defence".

Once Star One C1 is accepted in orbit, our next mission for Star One is the upcoming launch of Star One C2 in 2008, once again with Arianespace. This will again further strengthen Star One's position in Latin America.

About Thales Alenia Space
European leader in satellite systems and at the forefront of orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%). Together with Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space forms the "Space Alliance" between the two groups. The company is a worldwide reference in telecoms, radar and optical Earth observation, defense and security, navigation and science. With 7200 employees and 11 industrial sites, Thales Alenia Space is located in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium. www.thalesaleniaspace.com