In August 1996, Hughes Space and Communications International, Inc. (HSCI), today Boeing Satellite Systems International, Inc., signed a contract with SATMEX--formerly owned by Telecomm--for SATMEX 5, a Hughes 601HP body-stabilized satellite. SATMEX 5 was successfully launched on an Ariane rocket on Dec. 5, 1998. SATMEX provides fixed satellite services, and its satellite fleet includes Solidaridad 2 and Morelos II.

The relationship between Mexico and Hughes, now Boeing, has resulted in two generations of telecommunications systems that have put them in the forefront of Latin American satellite communications. The new SATMEX 5 will replace the Morelos II satellite and represents the third generation of Mexican satellites, a powerful tool to provide more options for the region and to support the important role Mexico is playing in the globalization process.

Stowed (left); In Orbit (right)

The Hughes 376 spin-stabilized Morelos I and II were launched in 1985, while the 3,500-watt Solidaridad 1 and 2, which were Hughes 601 model spacecraft, were placed into orbit in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Morelos I was retired in March 1994, and Morelos II is expected to complete its mission in 1998.

SATMEX 5 is a Hughes 601HP or "high power" version of the body-stabilized spacecraft. It features more than 7,000 watts of payload power, at least 10 times the capacity of Morelos II. Through such innovations as dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells, radiation-cooled traveling-wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs), advanced battery technology, and a xenon ion propulsion system, XIPS, the 601HP can carry payloads twice as powerful as those on the HS 601 models, with an expected 15-year mission lifetime.

The enhanced design enables the satellite to provide improved services, such as business communications, television distribution, educational programming, and others, with high reliability, heritage, performance and value. Additionally, the Ku-band geographic coverage area will be capable of receiving direct-to-home services with 60 centimeter or smaller antennae; EIRP and G/T margins for worst case are more than sufficient for digital broadcasting. The satellite beams expand the coverage to the whole American continent, providing services to countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, Venezuela and the United States, among others.

With Morelos I and II, Hughes installed a tracking, telemetry and command station approximately 10 miles southeast of Mexico City in Iztapalapa. Hughes upgraded the station to accommodate the Solidaridad spacecraft and built a backup ground station in Hermosillo. For SATMEX 5, Hughes supplied upgrades to both satellite control centers.

SATMEX 5 was built in the Integrated Satellite Factory of Hughes Space and Communications Company in El Segundo, Calif. As with the earlier Morelos and Solidaridad programs, the working team consisted of both Hughes and Mexican personnel. Mexico sent more than 10 engineers to work on the design and integration of the spacecraft.