Eutelsat W7 Satellite in Baikonour and on Track for Proton Launch on November 23

Eutelsat W7 Satellite in Baikonour and on Track for Proton Launch on November 23

PARIS, November 2/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The W7 satellite of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris:
ETL) arrived at the Baikonour Cosmodrome on October 20, and is now in final
stages of preparation for launch on November 23 by International Launch
Services (ILS) on board a Proton Breeze M booster. The Proton lift-off is
scheduled on November 23 at 14.22 GMT (15.22 CET).

Built for Eutelsat by Thales Alenia Space, Eutelsat's newest
and most powerful satellite to date will be colocated with W4 at 36 degrees
East to more than double resources at one of Eutelsat's fastest-growing
neighbourhoods.

Through a configuration of up to 70 transponders connected to
five high-performance fixed and steerable beams, W7 will provide coverage of
Russia and sub-Saharan Africa for digital broadcasting services including
pay-TV, and add significant resources and flexibility for expanding video and
telecommunications markets in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and central
Asia. The satellite will also enhance service provided since 2000 by SESAT 1,
which after W7's entry into service at 36degrees East will be redeployed at
an alternative location.

W7's launch marks the latest step in Eutelsat's far-reaching
investment programme of new satellites designed to expand, renew and secure
its in-orbit resources. Four further satellites will be orbited by the end of
2011 (W3B, KA-SAT, W3C and ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 7).

W7 characteristics:

Prime contractor - Thales Alenia Space

Platform: Spacebus 4000 C4

Launch mass: 5.6 tonnes

Solar array power: 15.8 kW

Payload power: 13.2 kW

Operational lifetime: 15 years

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code:
FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity
commercialised on 27 satellites that provide coverage over the entire
European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant
parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading
satellite operators in terms of revenues. At 30 June 2009, Eutelsat's
satellites were broadcasting almost 3,200 television channels and 1,100 radio
stations. More than 1,000 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video
neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves over 123 million cable and
satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group's
satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications
services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets
for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight
markets. Eutelsat's broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates
services through teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local
communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa,
Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries
employ 610 commercial, technical and operational employees from 28 countries.
http://www.eutelsat.com

For further information

Press
Vanessa O'Connor Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88 voconnor@eutelsat.fr
Frederique Gautier Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88 fgautier@eutelsat.fr

Investors
Gilles Janvier Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30
investors@eutelsat-communications.com

Source: Eutelsat Communications

For further information: Press: Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frederique Gautier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88 fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Investors, Gilles Janvier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com

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