PALO ALTO, CA, June 26, 2017 /CNW/ - Space Systems Loral
(SSL), a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft
systems, today announced that the BulgariaSat-1 satellite, designed
and built for Bulgaria Sat, an
affiliate of Bulsatcom, which is a leading telecommunications
company and the largest provider of pay-TV services in Bulgaria, was launched on Friday from
Cape Canaveral, Florida, and is
successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan.
The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its
launch aboard a previously flown SpaceX Falcon 9, and has started
firing its main thruster to propel itself toward its final circular
orbit in the geostationary arc.
"I would like to congratulate Bulgaria Sat on the successful launch of its
first satellite, and for making history as the first Bulgarian
company to operate a satellite," said John
Celli, president of SSL. "Thank you to the teams at
Bulgaria Sat, SpaceX, and SSL,
which worked closely together to make this launch a success."
BulgariaSat-1 will provide high quality Direct-to-Home
television and telecommunications services in the Balkans and other
European regions. It is equipped with 30 Ku-band BSS transponders
to broaden the availability of advanced television services such as
high definition television. Once it goes into service, the
satellite will be located at 1.9° East longitude.
"BulgariaSat-1 will expand our reach and reinforce our position
as the leading provider of high quality direct-to-home TV services
in Bulgaria," said Maxim Zayakov,
chief executive officer of Bulgaria Sat. "My thanks goes to SSL for being
a supportive partner from the time that this satellite was just an
idea until now. It is hugely exciting that we are finally launched
and headed toward GEO orbit and we look forward to providing
service that will broaden the availability of HDTV in the
region."
Based on the powerful SSL 1300 platform, the satellite is
designed to provide service for 15 years or more. The satellite was
the second commercial launch on a previously flown Falcon 9 rocket
and helps to prove the value of launch vehicle
reuse.
About Bulgaria Sat and
Bulsatcom
Bulgaria Sat is an affiliate of
Bulsatcom, which is a leading telecommunications company and the
largest provider of pay-TV services in Bulgaria. Bulgaria Sat is the only satellite operator
and the country's innovator in space industry, providing reliable
and secure satellite communications solutions to broadcast,
telecom, corporate and government customers. Bulgaria Sat is headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Bulsatcom is the largest pay-TV provider in Bulgaria, providing more than 100 digital TV
channels – including exclusive content – as well as broadband
internet access. Bulsatcom's leading market position is based on
outstanding customer support and high-quality broadcast
services.
About SSL
Space Systems Loral (SSL) is a leading provider of commercial
satellites with broad expertise to support satellite operators and
innovative space related missions. The company designs and
manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home
television, video content distribution, broadband internet, mobile
communications, and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley
innovator for 60 years, SSL's advanced product line also includes
state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics and
automation solutions for remote operations. For more information,
visit www.sslmda.com.
About SSL MDA Holdings
SSL MDA Holdings is a wholly owned subsidiary of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA)
and serves as the operating company for all MDA businesses.
About MDA
MDA is a global communications and information company providing
operational solutions to commercial and government organizations
worldwide.
MDA's business is focused on markets and customers with strong
repeat business potential, primarily in the Communications sector
and the Surveillance and Intelligence sector. In addition, the
Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology
development.
MDA's established global customer base is served by more than
4,800 employees operating from 15 locations in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
The Company's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange
under the symbol "MDA."
Related Websites
www.mdacorporation.com
www.sslmda.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and
information, which reflect the current view of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. and
its subsidiaries (collectively "MDA" or the "Company") with respect
to future events and financial performance. When used in this
news release, the words "believes", "expects", "plans", "may",
"will", "would", "could", "should", "anticipates", "estimates",
"project", "intend" or "outlook" or other variations of these words
or other similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may
differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks
and uncertainties. Known risks and uncertainties include but are
not limited to: risks associated with operating satellites and
providing satellite services, including satellite construction or
launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired
satellite performance; risks associated with satellite
manufacturing, including competition, cyclicality of MDA's end-user
markets, contractual risks, creditworthiness of customers,
performance of suppliers and management of MDA's factory and
personnel; risk associated with financial factors such as
volatility in exchange rates, increases in interest rates,
restrictions on access to capital by the customer or MDA, and
swings in global financial markets; risks associated with domestic
and foreign government regulation, including export controls and
economic sanctions; and other risks, including litigation. The
foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The
information contained in this news release reflects MDA's beliefs,
assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of
this news release. Except as required by law, MDA disclaims any
obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information
herein.
For additional information with respect to certain of these
risks or factors, plus additional risks or factors, reference
should be made to the Company's continuous disclosure materials
filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory
authorities, which are available online under the Company's profile
at www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at
www.mdacorporation.com.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved
the form or content of this release.
Contact
Wendy Lewis | SSL Media Contact |
1-650-852-5188 | wendy.lewis@sslmda.com
Wendy Keyzer | MDA Media Contact
| 1-604-231-2743 | wendy@mdacorporation.com
Marissa Poratto | MDA Investor
Relations | 1-604-331-2044 | mporatto@mdalimited.ca
SOURCE MacDonald, Dettwiler and
Associates Ltd.