The AMC-15 telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin for SES AMERICOM, was successfully launched today from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Liftoff occurred Oct. 14 at 5:23 p.m. EDT aboard a Proton rocket provided by International Launch Services (ILS). Initial contact with the satellite was confirmed at 2:52 a.m. EDT from the Lockheed Martin satellite tracking station in Uralla, Australia.

AMC-15 features one of America's first payloads operating at Ka-band frequencies, comprising 12 125-MHz Ka-band spot beams. AMC-15 also features 24 36-MHz transponders of Ku-band capacity. SES AMERICOM has an agreement with EchoStar Communications, Inc., a leading U.S. direct broadcast system operator, to use both payloads on AMC-15.

Based on Lockheed Martin's A2100AX satellite model, AMC-15 also represents the third of four satellites Lockheed Martin will deliver this year to SES AMERICOM. AMC-10 and AMC-11 were successfully launched on Atlas IIAS vehicles in February and May 2004, and AMC-16 is scheduled to be launched on an Atlas V in December 2004.

"AMC-15 marks the 11th A2100 delivered to SES AMERICOM since the maiden flight of AMC-1 in September 1996. It also represents the 25th A2100 in orbit," said Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) President Ted Gavrilis. "The outstanding commitment and dedication on behalf of the Lockheed Martin team has been fundamental in achieving this remarkable record. Once again, Lockheed Martin has delivered mission success for SES AMERICOM, one of our most esteemed and long-time customers."

In recognition of the A2100's reliability, Lockheed Martin received a 2003 award for "Product of the Year," from Frost & Sullivan, an independent research company. Calling it "the most reliable and efficient of its class," Frost & Sullivan recognized the LMCSS-built A2100 satellite platform for its "outstanding on-orbit reliability record since it was first offered in 1996." In a recent updated report, Frost & Sullivan concluded that "the A2100 (is) the most reliable satellite now available for a majority of satellite applications."

The Lockheed Martin A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft series is designed to meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs including Ka-band broadband and broadcast services, fixed satellite services in C-band and Ku-band payload configurations, high-power direct broadcast services using the Ku-band frequency spectrum, and mobile satellite services using UHF, L-band, and S- band payloads. The A2100's modular design features a reduction in parts, simplified construction, increased on-orbit reliability and reduced weight and cost.

About SES AMERICOM

The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services. Established in 1973 with its first satellite circuit for the U.S. Department of Defense, the company currently operates a fleet of 16 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family (Euronext Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges: SESG), SES AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. In 2001, the company established AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. government. In 2003, SES AMERICOM formed WORLDSAT, a wholly owned subsidiary that markets capacity on four satellites covering Asia, and the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean regions, and connecting premier regional satellite fleets. With its combined operations, SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, Internet service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient communication and content distribution solutions.

About International Launch Services (ILS)

ILS is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center of Russia. ILS has established itself as the indisputable launch services leader by offering the industry's two best launch systems: Khrunichev's Proton and the Lockheed Martin-built Atlas. With a remarkable launch rate of 67 missions since 2000, the Atlas and Proton launch vehicles have consistently demonstrated the reliability and flexibility that have made them the vehicles of choice. Since the beginning of 2003, ILS has signed more new commercial contracts than all its competitors combined. ILS was formed in 1995, and is based in McLean, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

Media Contact: Dee Valleras, 215-275-1874; e-mail, dee.valleras@lmco.com

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

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin