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Successful launch for Amos-3 Israeli telecom satellite with payload provided by Thales Alenia Space

28 April 2008

Cannes, April 28, 2008 - The Amos-3 telecommunication satellite, equipped with a Thales Alenia Space payload, was successfully launched today by a Zenith-3SLB rocket from the Baïkonur cosmodrome. The satellite has been built by Israel Aerospace Industry (IAI) for the Israeli operator, Space-Communication Ltd (Spacecom).

Amos-3 will replace the Amos-1 geostationary communications satellite launched in 1996 allowing Spacecom to expand its Ku-band offering. It will deliver high-quality communications and broadcasting transmission services covering the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and parts of the Americas.

Thales Alenia Space has provided to IAI the telecommunication payload with Ku and Ka-band transponders (including a four-antenna system) as well as a Telecommand and Ranging system. The payload has been assembled in Thales Alenia Space plant in Toulouse with part of its equipments provided by its site in Rome. It was the first program won by the newly created Alcatel Alenia Space in 2005 and has involved an extensive cooperation between the company's French and Italian teams.

Pascale Sourisse, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space stated: "As the payload provider of all the AMOS satellites since 1992, Thales Alenia Space is once again very pleased with this successful launch that confirms the commitment of our company to the Israeli space industry. "

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.www.thalesaleniaspace.com