The VINASAT-1 communications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin for Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) of Vietnam, is ready for launch on April 18 aboard an Ariane 5-ECA launch vehicle provided by Arianespace.

VINASAT-1 is based on Lockheed Martin's A2100A spacecraft platform and represents the first satellite system ever procured by the nation of Vietnam. VINASAT-1 features 12 operating Ku Band transponders providing coverage over Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and part of Myanmar. The spacecraft also features 8 C-Band primary transponders providing coverage over Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Southeast Asia, India, Japan and Australia. VINASAT-1 is designed for a minimum service life of 15 years and will be located at orbital slot 132 degrees east.

The turnkey satellite system is expected to improve telecommunications in Vietnam by transmitting radio, television and telephone communications to all corners of the country. The spacecraft will enable state-of-the-art communications, providing the Vietnamese people the opportunity to use multiple new services such as mobile broadcasting, direct-to-home television, video conferencing and data transmission. In addition, VINASAT-1 will improve the nation's communication networks infrastructure by removing dependence on ground networks and allowing 100% of Vietnam's rural communities to be equipped with telephones and televisions.

In addition to VNPT, Lockheed Martin has delivered 18 spacecraft to Asian customers, including eight A2100 satellites. 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, 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.

The A2100 spacecraft's design accommodates a large range of communication payloads. This design modularity also enables the A2100 spacecraft to be configured for missions other than communication. The A2100 design is currently being adapted for geostationary earth orbit (GEO)-based earth observing missions and is currently the baselined platform for Lockheed Martin's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite Series-R (GOES-R) proposal. The A2100 also serves as the platform for critical government communications programs including Advanced Extremely High Frequency and Mobile User Objective System and is the foundation for Lockheed Martin's Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) offering for the U.S. Government.

About VNPT Group

VNPT Group (http://www.vnpt.com.vn/) of Vietnam is tasked with the exploration, consultation, design, installation and maintenance of telecommunications and information technology for the nation of Vietnam. VNPT has organized multiple major business ventures in primarily the posts, information technology and telecommunications sectors. By mobilizing all economic segments of the nation of Vietnam, VNPT will modernize the nation's technological infrastructure by implementing high-speed, high-capacity and high-quality telecommunications systems.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems is a unit of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include human space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation, meteorological and communications satellites and instruments; space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft; laser radar; fleet ballistic missiles; and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

   Media Contacts:

   Nguyen Hong Thao, +84 4 9436494; e-mail, thaonh@vnpt.com.vn

   Dee Valleras, +1 215 497 4185; e-mail, dee.valleras@lmco.com

   For more information about VNPT, see http://www.vnpt.com.vn/.

For more information about Lockheed Martin, see http://www.lockheedmartin.com/.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin