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5TH HUGHES-BUILT SATELLITE FOR JSAT TO BE LAUNCHED (photo)

KOUROU, French Guiana, Nov. 25, 1997 -- The JCSAT-5 communications satellite is undergoing final checkout here, before the Dec. 2 launch that will position it to serve Japan and the Pacific Rim.

The spacecraft was built for Japan Satellite Systems Inc., (JSAT) by Hughes Space and Communications Company (HSC). The satellite, an HS 601 body-stabilized model, will allow JSAT to meet increased customer demand for multimedia. It will carry voice, data and television signals between Japan and the Asia-Pacific region and Hawaii.

Liftoff time is planned for 7:36 p.m. local time Dec. 2 in Kourou, where the spacecraft will be carried by an Ariane 44P rocket from the Guyana Space Center. That translates to 2:36 p.m. Dec. 2 PST, 7:36 a.m. Dec. 3 in Tokyo, and 22:36 Dec. 2 GMT.

This is the fifth satellite to be built by Hughes for JSAT, whose spacecraft carry the name JCSAT. The first two are HS 393 model spin-stabilized spacecraft. Launched in 1989, these were Japan's first commercial communications satellites. JCSAT-3, an HS 601 model, was launched Aug. 28, 1995. JCSAT-4, also an HS 601 model, was launched Feb. 16 this year. Hughes also built the master satellite control station in Yokohama and the backup station in Gunma.

JCSAT-5 will carry 32 active Ku-band transponders, and the satellite will have more than 5000 watts of power at beginning of life.

Hughes is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites, having built nearly 40 percent of those in operation. Hughes also built Japan's GMS weather satellites. 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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