Thales to Design and Build APSTAR 7B Telecommunication Satellite

(Cannes, May 10, 2010) -- Thales Alenia Space announced it has signed, on April 23, 2010, a contract with the APT Satellite Company Limited, a leading satellite operator in the Asia Pacific Region, for the design, manufacture and delivery on ground of a high-capacity telecommunication satellite. The contract also includes Launch Campaign, Launch and Early Operational Phase, In Orbit Tests as well as On Site Support, Dynamic Satellite Simulator, Satellite Control Centre and Baseband Subsystem.

APSTAR 7B will serve as a back-up satellite for Apstar-7 launch, which Thales Alenia Space is currently building under contract with APT; The satellite is to be designed to provide reliable broadcasting and telecommunications services over an hemispheric coverage, the Asia Pacific Region, Middle East/North Africa.

Based on Thales Alenia Space's Spacebus 4000 C2 platform, APSTAR 7B has technical characteristics similar to Apstar 7 and is expected to have a minimum of 15 years lifetime.

"I am extremely pleased that APT demonstrate the confidence they have in Thales by ordering another satellite. This is the third satellite we are building for APT, and our team is committed to deliver a high reliable satellite within the required schedule.", said Reynald Seznec, CEO of Thales Alenia Space.

Source : Thales Group (Paris: HO.PA)