(EMAILWIRE.COM, May 20, 2004 ) CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla -- The AMERICOM-11 (AMC-11) satellite of SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL Company (Euronext Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt Exchange: SESG), roared into a clear Florida night sky aboard an Atlas IIAS rocket provided by International Launch Services (ILS) at 6:22 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The Lockheed Martin-built A2100 satellite separated from the launch vehicle at 6:50 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and signal acquisition was established with the satellite, including reception of preliminary telemetry, at 7:28 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

"AMC-11 will be delivering some of America's leading cable programs, reaching almost every television household with all sorts of entertainment, information, and event programming, including high-definition services from Discovery, Showtime and NBC," said Dean Olmstead, President and CEO of SES AMERICOM. "This evening's launch was picture-perfect and we look forward to bringing AMC-11 into service in the fall and completing the development of HD-PRIME(TM), the only two-satellite system dedicated to the delivery of high definition services to cable head-ends."

AMC-11, an all C-band satellite, will operate from 131 degrees W.L., replacing the Satcom C-3 spacecraft. The just-launched AMC-11 is the second of two state-of-the-art satellites that make up SES AMERICOM's HD-PRIME(TM) neighborhood. The first satellite, AMC-10, was launched in February and resides at 135 degrees W.L. The two A2100 spacecraft have been optimized for next generation programming services, including high definition channels. Each of the 24 transponders is supported by at least one 20 watt SSPA, delivering an almost 20% increase in power over their predecessors.
In addition, a higher level of on-board redundancy plus an in-orbit protection satellite, AMC-7 currently operating at 137 degrees W.L., will protect the cable programming services.

Cable programmers can use AMC-11 and its HD-PRIME(TM) partner satellite, AMC-10, to reach over 80 million homes. A diverse mix of programming producers are already scheduled to use the new satellites, including Viacom, A&E Television Networks, C-SPAN, Court TV, Crown Media, Discovery Communications, E! Networks, iN DEMAND, Lifetime Entertainment, NBC, QVC, Scripps Networks, and The Weather Channel. AMC-11 is scheduled for full service operation by early November.

Ted Gavrilis, president, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) said, "We have developed a long-term business relationship with AMERICOM over the last 25 years based on trust and mutual respect." He continued, "AMC-11 is the tenth A2100 we have built for AMERICOM; we are proud to have been entrusted with providing this important satellite for AMERICOM's HD-PRIME(TM) neighborhood for the distribution of their customers' programming like Viacom's popular Showtime and MTV channels, The Weather Channel, and Discovery's HD Theater. We look forward to delivering both
AMC-15 and AMC-16 later this year for launch in August and December respectively."

Mark Albrecht, ILS President, said, "AMC-11 is the seventh satellite ILS has launched for SES AMERICOM, and we are looking forward to delivering three more launches for them later this year - two Proton launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in August and October as well as an Atlas V launch in December. We are proud to be entrusted with these important missions that clearly demonstrate AMERICOM's leadership in the distribution of next generation services."

About SES AMERICOM
The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services. Established in 1973 with its first satellite circuit for the U.S. Department of Defense, the company currently operates a fleet of 16 spacecraft in orbital positions providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family (Euronext Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges: SESG), AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. In 2001 the company established AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. government. In 2003, SES AMERICOM formed WORLDSAT, a wholly owned subsidiary with satellites operating in 4 orbital positions covering Asia, and the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean regions, and connecting premier regional satellite fleets. With its combined operations, SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, Internet service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient communication and content distribution solutions. SES AMERICOM key customers include ABC Radio Networks, Antrix Corporation Ltd., AT&T Alascom, British Telecom, Connexion by Boeing, Deutsche Welle, Discovery, EchoStar, Fox, Gannett, TV Guide/Gemstar, Globecomm Systems, HBO, Hughes Network Systems, JSAT, Korea Telecom, MCI, NBC, The New York Times, NHK, PaxNet, PBS, PCCW, SCC, TELE Greenland, TV Europa, TimeWarner, Unitel Hellas, Viacom, and various agencies of the U.S. government.

SES AMERICOM Inc.
Monica Morgan,
609-987-4143
Mobile: 609-933-8442
Monica.morgan@ses-americom.com

Yves Feltes
Senior Manager Press Relations
SES GLOBAL & SES ASTRA
Chateau de Betzdorf
L-6815 Betzdorf
352-710 72 5310

Contact Information:
SES ASTRA
Joseph Nchor
Tel:
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