An artist's concept of A2100 spacecraft. Credit: Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, a business unit of the Lockheed Martin Corporation has been awarded a contract to build an A2100 geosynchronous satellite for EchoStar Communications Corp. The satellite, designated EchoStar X, will provide distribution of direct-to-home broadcast services across the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii following its scheduled launch in third quarter, 2005. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The EchoStar contract marks the fourth new commercial satellite order received by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems during 2003.

"We are extremely proud of our long, successful partnership with EchoStar," said Ted Gavrilis, president, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. "We look forward to delivering a world class, high-performance spacecraft that will greatly enhance EchoStar's ability to provide direct-to-home satellite TV service."

EchoStar X will be based on the award winning A2100AX platform, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, Newtown, Pa., and will have a minimum service life of 15 years. EchoStar X will be the sixth satellite built by Lockheed Martin for EchoStar Communications Corp., and the fourth based on the award-winning A2100 platform. The high power Ku-band spacecraft will provide direct-to-home services and back-up to other satellites in the EchoStar fleet and will be located at 110 degrees West longitude.

"We eagerly anticipate the construction and launch of EchoStar X, working side-by-side with Lockheed Martin," said EchoStar President Mike Dugan. "This satellite will further solidify our ability to provide service to our customers at the most competitive prices."

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 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 Commercial Space Systems 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."

EchoStar Communications Corporation is the owner of DISH Network(TM), the fastest-growing U.S. provider of satellite television entertainment services with 9 million customers. DISH Network delivers advanced digital satellite television services, including hundreds of video and audio channels, interactive TV, digital video recording, HDTV, sports and international programming, professional installation and 24-hour customer service.

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, based in Newtown, Pa., 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.