Loral News

Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), operator of the world’s first Globalized Network, powered by its leading satellite backbone, announced the successful launch of the Intelsat 31 satellite, which is hosting the DLA-2 payload for DIRECTV Latin America. Intelsat 31 was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan aboard an ILS Proton launch vehicle. Liftoff occurred at 7:10 GMT. The Intelsat 31 satellite separated from the rocket’s upper stage at 22:41 GMT, and signal acquisition has been confirmed. Built for Intelsat by Space Systems/Loral (SSL), Intelsat 31 is a 20-kilowatt class Ku- and C-band satellite. The Ku-band payload, known as DLA-2…

Thuraya names Joseph R. Francis as Regional Director, North America to support the company's work in the government market sector. Mobile satellite services operator, Thuraya Telecommunications Company's new man will be based in the U.S. and will oversee business development and solidify Thuraya’s support of the government market. His areas of focus will include operations, management and support of service partners and identification of new market opportunities. Mr Francis has over a decade of experience in the satellite and aerospace industry, and has worked for companies such as Honeywell where he supported NASA programs and Loral. He joins Thuraya from SES where he held a variety of management and leadership roles focused on the U.S. Government market.

Hatteland Display computers and panel computers has appointed David Hawthorne as General Manager of its American operations. The appointment comes as Hatteland Display's global growth continues in the wake of the introduction of new Naval displays, upgraded Series 1 displays and the 2006 launch of the sophisticated Series 2 product family. David, who is based in San Diego, California, joined Hatteland Display on 23rd October 2007, from his position as Business Development Manager at L-3 Communications RCCS Division. Previous to this, he spent time as a Sales Manager for Barco and has a total of 15 years experience as an Electrical Engineer at major U.S. defense contractors including Loral and Lockheed Martin.

Globalstar, L.P. brought its next-generation strategizing to fruition with the release of full commercial access of its mobile satellite service in the U.S. through its distributor Globalstar U.S.A. With the recent demise of Iridium, and ICO Global Communications' ongoing recovery from bankruptcy, Globalstar's entry into the market is seemingly ideal. Vessel owner/operators increasingly rely on state-of-the-art communication tools to ensure safe, efficient operations. Much as has transpired in consumer markets, the wider availability of communication technology — and subsequent drive-down of equipment and airtime pricing — fuels airtime usage.

Satellite telecommunications firm Globalstar Telecommunications said on Monday that five of its founding partners will provide the company with further equity financing. Under the terms of their agreements, Loral Space & Communications Ltd., Vodafone Group Plc, Qualcomm Inc.; Elsacom, and a France Telecom/Alcatel partnership will purchase 5.2 million shares of common stock of Globalstar for $56 million. Loral will purchase $12 million of this total. A sixth partner, ChinaSat, has indicated an intent to purchase an additional $12 million of Globalstar shares upon receipt of government approval. The share purchases are based on a price of $10.71 per share. The transaction is expected to close by September 29.

Shares of Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. plunged 50 percent on Tuesday after the satellite telephone operator said it would stop paying debt holders so it can save cash to fund its operations into 2002. Globalstar, which was founded by Loral Space & Communications Ltd. and Qualcomm Inc., said it would save $400 million in 2001 by suspending payments on its funded debt, including its credit facility, vendor financing agreements and senior notes. The company said it will also halt dividend payments on its preferred stock. Shares of Globalstar were 29/32 lower at $1 at midday on Nasdaq, on volume of 10.1 million shares, after dipping as low as 15/16.

Mobile satellite telephone company Globalstar L.P. said on Monday it recorded a net loss of $3.8 billion in 2000 and it could seek bankruptcy protection if it cannot execute a restructuring plan. The company warned in an annual filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that its restructuring plan may fail if it conflicts with certain restrictions under existing agreements or if it cannot forge an accord with its creditors. Globalstar is a partnership that was formed in November 1994 by satellite firm Loral Space & Communications Ltd. and cellular telecommunications company Qualcomm Inc. Loral owns about 38 percent of Globalstar L.P. Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd., the public Globalstar entity, owns more than 40 percent of the business.

One of the most innovative maritime communications developments in recent years has been launched by telecom systems integrator, Invsat, with the introduction of a broadband data application communications solution configured to offer DAMA (Demand Assigned Multiple Access) protocol, which Invsat developed to operate initially on Loral Skynet’s Telstar 12 satellite. DAMA is typically a single-hop satellite transmission network that allows direct connection between any two nodes in the network among many users sharing a dedicated “pool” of satellite transponder space. With DAMA, customers sign up to a service level agreement (SLA) and can opt for a number of flexible usage bands, reflecting the size of their network. Subscribers also pay network maintenance.