Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), a business unit of the Lockheed Martin Corporation , has been awarded a contract to build two A2100 geosynchronous satellites for SES ASTRA. The satellites, designated 1KR and 1L will provide distribution of direct-to-home broadcast services across Europe following their scheduled launches in the second half of 2005 and 2006 respectively.

"We are extremely gratified by the confidence SES ASTRA has placed in us," said Ted Gavrilis, president, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. "Our flight-proven A2100 has provided a powerful, dependable solution for telecommunications customers worldwide and we look forward to establishing a long-term relationship with SES ASTRA."

ASTRA 1KR, an all Ku-band spacecraft with 32 active transponders, will be located at 19.2 degrees East longitude. The ASTRA 1L communications satellite features a Ku/Ka- band payload with 31 active transponders and will be located at 19.2 degrees East longitude. Both spacecraft will be based on the award winning A2100AX platform, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, Newtown, Pa., and each will have a minimum service life of 15 years.

Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA, is confident: "With these state-of-the-art procurements, SES ASTRA cements not only the competitive position of Europe's top Continental European orbital slot well into the next decade, but also reinforces the world's most comprehensive inter-satellite protection scheme at a single orbital position. We look forward to working with Lockheed Martin on the ASTRA 1KR and ASTRA 1L missions and are confident that the scheduled renewal of our fleet will further strengthen our existing high standards of operational excellence and support our commitment of offering state-of-the-art satellite services to our customers."

The A2100 geostationary spacecraft is designed to meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs ranging from high-power Ka, Ku and C-band fixed satellite and direct broadcast services to high power mobile satellite services using the L- and S-band frequency spectrum. The heritage A2100's modular design features flight-proven equipment, thus simplifying construction, shortening delivery schedule, and increasing on-orbit reliability.

In recognition of the A2100's reliability, Lockheed Martin recently received an award for "Product of the Year," by Frost & Sullivan. Calling it "the most reliable and efficient of its class," Frost & Sullivan recognized the LMCSS-built A2100 satellite platform for "outstanding on-orbit reliability record since it was first offered in 1996."

About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com

The ASTRA Satellite System is Europe's leading Direct-to-Home satellite system, delivering television, radio as well as multimedia and Internet services to more than 92 million Direct-to-Home and cable households. The ASTRA satellite fleet currently comprises 13 satellites, transmitting in excess of 1100 analogue and digital television and radio channels as well as multimedia and Internet services.

ASTRA's two prime orbital positions for DTH (Direct-To-Home) services are 19.2 degrees East and 28.2 degrees East. Professional services are offered from the orbital positions of 23.5 degrees/24.2 degrees East and 5.2 degrees East.

SES ASTRA is an SES GLOBAL company, whose securities are listed on the Stock Exchanges in Luxembourg and Frankfurt (SESG). SES GLOBAL wholly owns two market leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, and SES AMERICOM in the US. The Company also holds strategic participations in first-class regional satellite service providers, the SES GLOBAL partner companies, including AsiaSat and AMERICOM ASIA-PACIFIC in Asia, Star One and Nahuelsat in Latin America, and NSAB in Europe. Through these, SES GLOBAL can provide outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 41 satellites across the globe. Approximately 95 percent of the world's population live within the footprints of the SES GLOBAL satellite network. In addition, SES GLOBAL is a shareholder in satellite technology companies Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., ND Satcom and SATLYNX. Additional info at: www.ses-global.com

About Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems markets, designs and builds geostationary and non-geostationary telecommunications and remote sensing satellites for customers worldwide. LMCSS is an operating unit of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, one of the core business areas of the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Lockheed Martin has a 41-year heritage of building reliable spacecraft for commercial and military customers, having launched more than 875 spacecraft and clocking nearly 1,500 years of on-orbit performance experience.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about 125,000 people worldwide and is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation reported 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.

CONTACT: Steve Tatum of Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, +1-408-742-7531, or Stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com; or Yves Feltes of SES ASTRA, +352-710-72-53-11, or Yves.Feltes@ses-astra.com.

For more information about Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, see our web site at http://www.lmcommercialspace.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems