Arianespace Wins Two JCSAT Launch Contracts

Arianespace, an Evry, France-based commercial launch service provider, has received two launch contracts from JCSAT, a Japanese satellite operator. Financial terms were not disclosed. Under one contract, Arianespace will launch the JCSAT-9 communication satellite onboard an Ariane 5 rocket at the end of 2005 to replace the N-Star at 132 degrees East Longitude. The second launch contract covers a future JCSAT satellite. The JCSAT-9 is being manufactured by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and will weigh 4,500 kilograms (9,921 pounds) at launch.

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