HUGHES SPACE AND COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
Communications and Customer Relations
P.O. Box 92919 (S10/S323)
Los Angeles, CA 90009
Media Relations (310) 364-6363
Investor Relations (310) 662-9688
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PAS-6B SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED

KOUROU, French Guiana, Dec. 22, 1998 -- PAS-6B, a high-power direct-to-home television satellite built by Hughes Space and Communications Company, was successfully launched here last night.

The satellite, which was built for PanAmSat Corporation, was launched on board an Ariane 42L vehicle at 10:08 p.m. in Kourou (5:08 p.m. PST, 01:08 today GMT). The spacecraft separated from the launch vehicle about 21 minutes later. Satellite controllers in Sydney, Australia, received first signals 67 minutes after launch, confirming normal operation.

With 32 active Ku-band transponders, PAS-6B is planned to provide direct-to-home television services for 15 years in South America from its orbital slot of 43 degrees West longitude. It is one of the most powerful satellites in PanAmSat's fleet with 10 kw total power.

PAS-6B carries the latest technological advancements in satellites: dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells, which provide a significant increase in power over traditional silicon cells; and a xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS), which is 10 times more efficient than the propulsion systems currently in use and enables the satellite to carry more payload.

Here are some statistics about this launch:

  • 11th and final launch of the year for Hughes

  • 48th Hughes satellite delivered in orbit

  • 38th Hughes satellite launched on an Ariane rocket

  • 2nd Hughes satellite launched this month, and from the same site

  • 15th Hughes satellite in PanAmSat's fleet

  • 8th HS 601HP model launched

  • 45th HS 601 launched of any version

  • 5th Hughes satellite with XIPS

  • 154th Hughes communications satellite launched.



    PanAmSat (NASDAQ: SPOT) is the world's leading commercial provider of satellite-based communications services. HSC is the world's largest manufacturer of geosynchronous commercial communications satellites, and a major supplier of spacecraft for communications and space exploration to the U.S. government and Japan. HSC, an ISO 9001 company, 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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