HUGHES SPACE AND COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY Public Relations Department P.O. Box 92919 (S10/S323) Los Angeles, CA 90009 Media Relations (310) 364-6363 Investor Relations (310) 662-9688 www.hughespace.com

KOUROU, French Guiana, Dec. 21, 1999 -- Satellite communications entered a new era tonight with the successful launch of PanAmSat Corporation's Galaxy XI satellite at the Guiana Space Center. The first of Hughes Space and Communications Company's (HSC) HS 702 satellites, Galaxy XI is the world's largest commercial communications satellite with 64 transponders and more than 10 kilowatts of power at end of life.

The satellite was launched on board an Arianespace Ariane 44L rocket at 9:50 p.m. in Kourou (4:50 p.m. PST, 0050 Dec. 22 GMT). The spacecraft separated from the launch vehicle about 21 minutes later and Galaxy XI's first signals were received about 55 minutes after launch at the ground station in Sydney, Australia, indicating normal operation.

"Today's Galaxy XI launch moves PanAmSat one step closer toward operating the largest commercial geostationary satellite network ever deployed," said R. Douglas Kahn, PanAmSat's president and chief executive officer. "PanAmSat will launch six additional Hughes-built satellites in rapid succession. These new satellites, which include two more HS 702 spacecraft, will deliver significantly more power and capacity for PanAmSat's customers around the world."

"With today's successful launch, Hughes is leading the way into the next generation of satellite communications," said Tig H. Krekel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hughes Space and Communications Company. "Galaxy XI represents the best in capacity, performance and cost efficiency, and we extend our thanks and congratulations to PanAmSat."

Galaxy XI will provide video distribution, Internet, and telecommunications services in North America and Brazil from an initial orbital position of 99 degrees West longitude, before being migrated to 91 degrees West at a later date.

Galaxy XI carries a xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS), which will perform all stationkeeping maneuvers and orbit-raising. Available on the HS 601HP, or high power, and HS 702 satellite models, the increased efficiency possible with XIPS allows for a reduction in propellant mass of up to 90% for a satellite designed for 12 to 15 years operation. Less propellant results in reduced cost for launch, an increase in payload, or an increase in satellite lifetime, or any combination of the above. Galaxy XI is scheduled to be at its initial operating position about 90 days after launch.

Galaxy XI, the first HS 702, leverages many of the efficiency-producing technologies inherent in Hughes' other satellite models, and extends these models into more capable and longer-lived revenue-producers for satellite operators. To achieve higher power, the solar array carries dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells, able to convert nearly 25% of the sun's rays into electrical power, and uses angled reflector panels along both sides of the solar wings to concentrate more sunlight onto those solar cells. Deployable radiators use flexible heat pipes, which make it possible to utilize more of the radiator's surface for heat dissipation.

PanAmSat (NASDAQ: SPOT) is the world's leading commercial provider of satellite-based communications services. The company operates a global network of 20 satellites supported by PanAmSat professionals on five continents. These resources enable PanAmSat to provide video and telecommunications services to hundreds of customers worldwide. PanAmSat plans to launch six additional satellites by mid-2001. For more information on the company and its services, visit the PanAmSat web site at http://www.panamsat.com.

HSC is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites, having built nearly 40 percent of those in operation. It also is a major supplier of spacecraft and equipment to the U.S. government, and a builder of weather satellites for the United States and Japan. HSC is a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. Hughes Electronics is the world's leading provider of digital television entertainment, and satellite and wireless systems and services. The earnings of Hughes Electronics, a unit of General Motors Corporation, are used to calculate the earnings per share attributable to the General Motors Class H common stock (NYSE:GMH). Visit the Hughes Electronics website at http://www.hughes.com.