Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has signed contracts with Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) and Satelites Mexicanos (Satmex) for two launches aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.

"This announcement marks SpaceX's first launch contract in Mexico. It is also the second launch contract in Asia that we have signed in the last month," said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and Chief Technology Officer.

"We are very pleased to have SpaceX, the world's fastest growing space launch company, as our launch partner for Satmex 7.

Satmex is positioned for a new era of growth with the anticipated launches of Satmex 8 in 2012 and Satmex 7 in late 2014 or early 2015.

The addition of Satmex 7 (C and Ku band satellite) will expand our fleet to three satellites covering the Americas. Satmex 7 will be a cornerstone of the Satmex fleet designed to provide direct-to-home (DTH) and data services with increased power levels and improved elevation angles from any location within the coverage.

These benefits will provide better performance to deliver media content directly to homes as well as broadband services," said Patricio Northland, CEO of Satmex.

"Over the past decade, we have seen launch prices increase dramatically, making access to space out of reach for many programs. As one of the fastest growing satellite operators in the world, ABS requires access to space that combines affordability and lift capacity for our future satellite programs," said Tom Choi, CEO of ABS.

"Together with Satmex, our co-launch partner, we embark upon an innovative prospect of dual launching four medium-powered satellites on two launches on the Falcon 9.

We are extremely happy to be working with Satmex and SpaceX to dramatically realign the cost structure of space access in order to bring the affordable capacity demanded by our customers."

SpaceX will launch the two companies' geosynchronous telecommunications satellites on two separate launches from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launches will take place in late 2014 or early 2015 and the fourth quarter of 2015.

earlier related report
Satelites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. Announcement: Satmex Orders New Satellite for Latin American Service
Mexico City, Mexico (SPX) Mar 15 - Satelites Mexicanos (Satmex) announces that it has entered into a Satellite Procurement Agreement with Boeing Satellite Systems International (Boeing) and a Launch Services Agreement with Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) for the manufacture and the launch, respectively, of the latest communications satellite in its fleet, Satmex 7.

The procurement of Satmex 7 is part of a global agreement in cooperation with Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) involving the manufacture and delivery of four firm and four optional satellites all at firm fixed prices.

The purchase and delivery of these satellites will be governed by a Master Procurement Agreement entered into among Boeing, ABS and Satmex and will be subject to separate satellite procurement agreements between Boeing and each of Satmex and ABS.

Both Satmex and ABS shall have the ability to convert the optional satellites to firm orders as they may determine in the future.

Satmex 7 is a hybrid satellite with both C- and Ku-band capacity, serving all of Satmex's Latin America customers. The satellite will provide new expansion capacity that will be a catalyst for Satmex's growth plans over the next decade.

The Boeing 702SP product line is a great fit for Satmex's expansion strategy, offering an innovative design with capabilities that provide flexible service offerings to meet the growing demands of Satmex's prestigious customer portfolio.

"We are very pleased to partner with both, Boeing and SpaceX, on these agreements, which provides Satmex with the flexibility to grow our satellite fleet," said Patricio Northland, Chief Executive Officer of Satmex.

"Satmex is positioned for a new era of growth with the anticipated launches of Satmex 8 in 2012, and with Satmex 7, our first satellite in the Boeing 702SP program, in late 2014 or early 2015.

The addition of Satmex 7 will expand our fleet to three satellites covering the Americas. Satmex 7 will be a cornerstone of the Satmex fleet designed to provide DTH and data services with increased power levels and good elevation angles from any location within its coverage.

These benefits will provide better performance to deliver media content directly to homes as well as broadband and other data services."

Concurrently with the satellite procurement agreements, ABS and Satmex have entered into a Bilateral Agreement which establishes rights and obligations between the parties with regard to the manufacture and launch of Satmex 7 and the other satellites in this global procurement.

The launch is scheduled for late 2014 or early 2015 from Cape Canaveral, Florida and will use SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.