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Thales Alenia Space delivered Star One C2 satellite to Kourou launch site

29 February 2008

Cannes, February 29, 2008 - Thales Alenia Space today announced that it has transferred the Star One C2 communication satellite to the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana.

Star One C2 is dedicated to the Brazilian satellite operator Star One, owned by Embratel (80%) and GE International Holdings (20%). The launch of Star One C2, together with the recent launch of Star One C1, reinforces Star One's position as the major regional operator in Latin America.

Based on Thales Alenia Space Spacebus 3000B3 platform, the satellite will carry 28 transponders in C-band, 16 in Ku-band and 1 in X-band, it will weight 4100 kg at launch, has an electrical power of 10.5 kW (beginning of life) and will be positioned at 70° West.

The Star One C2 launch campaign will start shortly as the satellite is scheduled for launch in April 2008 by an Ariane 5 rocket.

Thales Alenia Space will be a major supplier on 23 launches this year, including six communication satellites(1), five telecommunications payloads(2), four observation satellites(3), two scientific satellites(4), two observation payloads(5), one navigation satellite(6), three modules for the International Space Station(7).

1 Star One C2, Turksat 3A, Chinasat 9, AMC-21, Sicral 1B, Ciel 2
2 Express AM33, Amos 3, BADR6, Express AM44, Express MD1
3 GOCE, Jason 2, COSMO SkyMed 3, SMOS
4 Herschel, Planck
5 Sar Lupe 4, Sar Lupe 5
6 Giove B
7 Colombus, ATV, MPLM

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 a 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.