-Satmex is pleased to announce that an extensive three month testing and analysis conducted by COMSAT Technical Services (“CTS”) regarding the remaining lifetime of Satmex 5 has just been completed. Satmex contracted CTS to conduct a detailed Propellant Gauging System (“PGS”) study of Satmex 5 in September 2012. CTS’s PGS methodology is deemed to yield the most accurate results in determining the remaining lifetime of an in-orbit satellite. On December 12, 2012 Satmex finalized the analysis of the results which determined the three-sigma worst case end of station-kept operational lifetime for Satmex 5 is October 5, 2013.
Separately, in reference to the recent International Launch Services (“ILS”) press release on December 9, 2012 regarding the Proton Breeze M anomaly, the launch date for Satmex 8, a C- and Ku- band satellite, is likely to be delayed. Satmex will be participating in the ILS Failure Review Oversight Board (FROB), and is confident that the anomaly will be resolved and return to flight will occur in a timely manner.
Patricio Northland, Chief Executive Officer of Satmex, said, “while the latest Proton Breeze M anomaly is unfortunate for ILS and the satellite industry, we have the utmost respect for ILS and Khrunichev, and are confident that ILS will return to reliable operations in the very near future. Satmex is honored to participate in the FROB, and will work closely with ILS, Khrunichev, and other industry leaders to ensure that corrective actions are well developed and implemented in a reliable manner. Meanwhile, we are very pleased to announce that the worst case projected lifetime of Satmex 5 has been extended into the fourth quarter of 2013, providing adequate time to reach resolution and execute the corrective actions necessary to ensure the reliable launch of Satmex 8 which will then be used to replace Satmex 5.”