Loral-Built DIRECTV 8 Satellite Successfully Launched

[Gregg Lengling]

DIRECTV 8, a high-
power direct broadcast satellite (DBS) built for The DIRECTV Group, Inc., El
Segundo, Calif. by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), was successfully launched
yesterday at 10:59 am PDT. The satellite was sent into space from the Baikonur
Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard a Proton M/Breeze M launch vehicle provided by
International Launch Services (ILS).
    "Loral is proud to provide its fourth DIRECTV satellite designed to
deliver expanded services to DIRECTV's growing customer base," said Bernard L.
Schwartz, chairman and CEO, Loral Space & Communications. "SS/L's unique
ability to offer the most advanced and reliable satellites, using innovative
technologies, has won the confidence of operators like DIRECTV. This state-of-
the-art satellite was completed a full two months ahead of schedule, an
accomplishment rarely seen in the satellite industry, and we look forward to
continuing our strong relationship with DIRECTV as we prepare to deliver
DIRECTV 9S later this year for launch in 2006."
    From its orbital slot at 101 degrees West longitude, the hybrid Ku/Ka-band
DIRECTV 8 satellite is designed to maintain high quality, high-power DBS
service to existing DIRECTV customers. The satellite will provide selectable
medium- and high-power Ku-band broadcast services to the U.S. on up to
16 high-power transponders, optimized to support the current and next
generation higher coding rate services that DIRECTV provides.
    The Ka-band payload will use the full 1,000 MHz of Ka-band communications
bandwidth available to link DIRECTV facilities as part of DIRECTV's dramatic
infrastructure development for the upcoming launch of local digital and
high-definition services in the Ka-band.
    DIRECTV 8 is designed to provide over 8,200 watts of DC power at the end
of its 12-year mission life. The satellite is based on SS/L's space-proven
1300 platform, which has an excellent record of reliable operation. Its high
efficiency solar arrays and lightweight batteries are designed to provide
uninterrupted electrical power. In all, SS/L satellites have amassed nearly
1,200 years of reliable on-orbit service. Space Systems/Loral is also building
DIRECTV 9S, which will be completed at the end of 2005, for launch in 2006.
    DIRECTV is the nation's leading and fastest-growing digital multichannel
television service provider with more than 14.4 million customers. DIRECTV and
the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc.  DIRECTV
(NYSE: DTV) is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television
entertainment services and is approximately 34 percent owned by News
Corporation. For more information, visit http://www.directv.com.