HUGHES SPACE AND COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
Communications and Customer Relations
P.O. Box 92919 (S10/S323)
Los Angeles, CA 90009
(310) 364-6363
www.hughespace.com		 HSC Logo


SUPERBIRD-C SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., July 28, 1997 -- Superbird-C, a communications satellite for Space Communications Corporation, was successfully launched last night. This was the fourth launch this year of a spacecraft built by Hughes Space and Communications Company.

Liftoff was at 9:15 p.m. EDT at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard an Atlas IIAS launch vehicle. The spacecraft separated from the launch vehicle about 33 minutes later. At approximately 10:47 p.m. EDT the Eastern Hemisphere Telemetry, Tracking and Control station, located near Sydney, Australia, received Superbird-C's first signals, confirming normal operation.

Superbird-C is an HS 601 body-stabilized satellite and joins SCC's existing fleet of Superbird-A and Superbird-B to provide digital multi-channel broadcasting services and business communications services throughout Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, including Hawaii. The spacecraft has 24 active transponders powered by 90-watt, linearized traveling wave tube amplifiers. Superbird-C also has a pair of four-panel solar arrays which will generate a total of 4500 watts of electrical power.

The three-axis body-stabilized satellite will have both fixed and movable antennas. Superbird-C will be stationed at 144 degrees East longitude and is designed to operate for more than 10 years.

Superbird-C is the 34th spacecraft to be launched in the popular HS 601 series. Hughes is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites, having built 40 percent of those in operation.

HSC is a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. The earnings of Hughes Electronics are used to calculate the earnings per share attributable to GMH (NYSE symbol) common stock.

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