A monthly round-up of space industry developments for the information of our clients and friends.
Telesat Closes Refinancing Transaction
On March 28, Telesat Canada (Telesat) announced its execution of a credit agreement for up to $2.55b under several facilities. Proceeds from the facilities will be used to refinance Telesat's outstanding borrowings of roughly $2.1b, to cover transaction costs related to the credit agreement and to make certain payments to Telesat executives, employees and shareholders, such as Loral Space & Communications Inc. (Loral). Loral has announced a special dividend, using the funds from Telesat, of $13.60 per share for an aggregate dividend of up to $421m to holders of its voting and non-voting common stock.
March Satellite Orders
March 13 – Asia Broadcast Satellite Holdings Ltd. and Satélites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. announced their joint procurement of a total of 4 satellites from Boeing Satellite Systems International, Inc. (Boeing). The initial 2 satellites, ABS- 3A and Satmex 7, are scheduled to be delivered together in late 2014 or early 2015. Details about the remaining 2 satellites will be announced at a later date. Based on the new Boeing 702 SP platform featuring an allelectric xenon-ion propulsion system, both ABS-3A and Satmex 7 will carry C- and Kuband transponders, with ABS-3A serving the Atlantic Ocean region and Satmex 7 serving Latin America. Valued at approximately $400m, the deal also includes options for procurement, between ABS and Satmex, of up to 4 additional satellites. All 4 firm satellites are scheduled to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. in 2 dual-launch missions on the Falcon 9 launcher in 2014 and 2015.
March 27 – The Russian Satellite Communications Company selected EADS Astrium to deliver the Express AM4R and Express AM7 satellites. Both satellites will be based on the Eurostar E3000 platform and are expected to be launched in 2014 on a Krunichev Proton launcher. Express AM4R will be equipped with 63 transponders, with 30 C-, 28 Ku-, 2 Ka- and 3 L-band, and will be stationed at 80ºE. Express AM7 will carry 62 transponders, with 24 C-, 36 Ku- and 2 Lband, and will be stationed at 40ºE. Both satellites, equipped with steerable antennas, will provide coverage over the Russian Federation and the Commonwealth of Independent States and adjacent regions.
March Launches
On March 26, ILS International Launch Services launched the Intelsat 22 satellite from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on a Proton Breeze M launcher. Built by Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems, Intelsat 22 will operate at 72ºE and carries C- and Kuband payloads to provide a variety of commercial and government services in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East and a UHF communications payload the entire capacity of which was pre-sold to the Australian Defence Force.
March Launch Services Orders
March 9 – The Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation selected ILS International Launch Services to launch the MEXSAT-1 satellite on a Proton launcher in 2013 or 2014. Under manufacture by Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. based on its 702 HP platform, MEXSAT- 1 will carry a 22-meter L-band reflector and a 2-meter Ku-band antenna to provide MSS and FSS for government, civil and humanitarian uses from 113ºW.
March 12 – Eutelsat Communications S.A. and Es'hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, selected Arianespace S.A. to launch their Eutelsat 25B / Es'hail satellite on an Ariane 5 launcher in the 2nd quarter of 2013. Being manufactured by Space Systems/Loral, Eutelsat 25B / Es'hail will feature Ku- and Ka-band capacity to serve the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia from 25ºE. Eutelsat selected Sea Launch to launch the Eutelsat 70B satellite on a Zenit 3SL launcher in late 2012. Under manufacture by EADS Astrium on its Eurostar E3000 platform, Eutelsat 70B will carry 48 Ku-band transponders and will operate at 70.5ºE. Intelsat, Ltd. selected Sea Launch to launch the Intelsat 27 satellite on a Zenit 3SL launcher in early 2013. Built by Boeing Satellite Systems International, Inc. on its 702 MP platform, Intelsat 27 will provide services to the Americas and Europe from 304.5ºE.
March 13 – NewSat Limited selected Arianespace to launch its Jabiru-1 satellite on an Ariane 5 launcher in late 2014. Under manufacture by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems based on its A2100 platform, Jabiru-1 will carry 50 Kaband transponders and serve customers in Asia, the Middle East and eastern Africa.
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