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AMC-21 telecommunication satellite successfully launched

15 August 2008

Cannes, August 15 , 2008 - The AMC-21 communication satellite built by Thales Alenia Space was successfully launched on August 14 by an Ariane 5 ECA from Kourou, French Guiana. This satellite will be operated by SES AMERICOM from the 125 degrees West orbital position.

Thales Alenia Space acted as prime contractor and communications payload supplier of the Star-2 spacecraft that was built, integrated and tested by Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles, VA.

The AMC-21 satellite will transmit mobile applications and TV broadcasting throughout the Continental United States (CONUS), Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and Central America.

AMC-21 is fitted with 24 Ku-band transponders, each 36 MHz in bandwidth and will have an operational life time of 15 years. Weighing about 2,500 kilograms at launch and having 6 kW of electrical power, it will initiate Ku-band service at 125°West.

AMC-21 is the 5th satellite delivered by Thales Alenia Space to SES AMERICOM (6 ordered in total*) and will be followed by the launch of Ciel-2 for SES affiliate Ciel Satellite of Canada before the end of the year.

AMC-21 is the first satellite built by Thales Alenia Space in partnership with Orbital Sciences Corporation, this fruitful cooperation being replicated for the Koreasat 6 contract signed last May.

AMC-21 is the 5th launch** with a Thales Alenia Space participation on an Ariane 5 launcher since the beginning of the year.

* AMC-5, AMC-9, AMC-12, AMC-23, AMC-21, Ciel-2
** ATV - Star One C2 - Turksat 3A - BADR 6 - AMC-21

About Thales Alenia Space
European leader in satellite systems and a major player in orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%). Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio embody the two groups' "Space Alliance". Thales Alenia Space sets the global standard in solutions for space telecoms, radar and optical Earth observation, defense and security, navigation and science. The company has a total of 7,200 employees and 11 industrial sites, with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium. www.thalesaleniaspace.com