ASIASAT SECURES $343.3M EX-IM LOAN
On June 3, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (U.S. Ex-Im) authorized a $343.3m direct loan to Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat) to finance AsiaSat's procurement of two communications satellites, the C-band AsiaSat 6 satellite and the hybrid Ku- and Kaband AsiaSat 8 satellite, from Space Systems/Loral, LLC, as well as launch services provided by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. and insurance brokered by Marsh USA Inc. So far in FY2013, U.S. Ex-Im has authorized a total of $891m in financings of satellite industry transactions.
THURAYA RECEIVES $50M ISLAMIC LOAN
On June 20, Thuraya Telecommunications Company (Thuraya) announced that it has obtained a five-year $50m loan from Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC in what represents the company's first major Islamic financing transaction. Thuraya plans to use the proceeds from the loan to make upgrades to its network infrastructure and expand its product offerings.
JUNE LAUNCH SERVICES
June 3 - International Launch Services Inc. successfully launched the SES-6 satellite for SES S.A. (SES) on a Proton Breeze M launch vehicle. Manufactured by EADS Astrium based on its Eurostar E3000 platform and equipped with 48 Ku- and 43 C-band transponders, SES-6 will provide DTH and VSAT services to customers throughout the Americas, Europe and the Atlantic Ocean from the 40.5°W orbital slot, where it replaces the NSS-806 satellite. SES has announced that the new satellite's largest customer is Oi S.A. of Brazil, which has acquired the rights to use a large portion of SES-6's Kuband capacity for a new DTH platform.
June 25 - Arianespace S.A. successfully launched the first four satellites of O3b Networks, Ltd. (O3b) on a Soyuz launch vehicle. Manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, the satellites will form part of a MEO constellation that will provide billions of users in underserved areas across the globe with low-cost, high-speed, low-latency Internet and mobile connectivity. O3b has contracted with Arianespace S.A. to provide launch services for eight more O3b satellites, which are scheduled to be launched in sets of four later this year and in 2014.
JUNE SATELLITE ORDERS
On June 11, Space Systems/Loral, LLC announced that it had been selected by SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation to manufacture the JCSAT-14 satellite based on the SS/L 1300 platform. Scheduled for launch in 2015, JCSAT- 14 will carry 26 C-band transponders, to be used for both broadcast and data networks, and 18 Ku-band transponders, which will provide highspeed connectivity for maritime, aviation and resource exploration applications. JCSAT-14 will replace the JCSAT-2A satellite at the 154°E orbital position, from which it will provide coverage of Asia, Russia, Oceania and the Pacific Islands.
JUNE LAUNCH SERVICES ORDERS
June 18 - Sea Launch AG announced its selection by Eutelsat S.A. to launch the EUTELSAT 3B satellite in April 2014 on the Zenit-3SL launch vehicle. Currently being manufactured by EADS Astrium based on the Eurostar E3000 platform, EUTELSAT 3B will be equipped with C-, Ku- and Ka-band transponders and will provide video and data services to customers across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia from the 3°E orbital slot.
June 21 - Space Exploration Technologies Corp. announced a contract award by Thales Alenia Space (Thales) to launch Turkmenistan's first satellite, the NSSC telecommunications satellite, which Thales is currently manufacturing, based on its Spacebus C2 platform, on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle in late 2014 or early 2015.
ULA - RUAG STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
On June 27, United Launch Alliance (ULA) announced that it has selected RUAG Space AG of Switzerland as its strategic partner to develop the capability to deliver two spacecraft to orbit on a single launch vehicle for ULA's Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles.
MITSUBISHI HEAVY - ARIANESPACE MOU
On June 7, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Arianespace S.A. signed a memorandum of understanding that calls for the two launch services providers to work together to develop innovative new launch services and standardize launch site satellite preparation procedures.
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