Posted: Thu, May 10, 2007, 7:51 AM ET (1151 GMT)
Orbital Sciences Corporation announced this week that it won an order for as many as five communications satellites from SES Americom. The contract includes firm orders for two satellites, AMC-5R and a ground spare, with options for three additional satellites over the next few years. The first two satellites, scheduled for delivery in mid and late 2009, will carry 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders and generate five kilowatts of power; future satellites will be identical to the first two. The satellites are the third and fourth new small commercial GEO communications satellites ordered from Orbital this year; the company had previously announced orders of new satellites from Optus and Intelsat, as well as the confirmation or an earlier order with Intelsat.

Related Links:

•  Orbital press release