NewSat Limited (NWT), Australia’s satellite company, announced that as the next stage in the Jabiru satellite project, it has entered into a contract with Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems for the construction of the Jabiru-1 satellite. Jabiru-1 will incorporate an advanced Ka-band payload which will provide high-powered satellite coverage across growth regions over the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The large Jabiru-1 spacecraft will utilise Lockheed Martin’s proven A2100 series spacecraft and is designed for an in-orbit life of 15 years. The construction of the Jabiru-1 satellite will commence immediately and is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2014. Jabiru-1 will provide high-bandwidth communication services to government and enterprise markets including mining, oil, gas, media and carrier-grade telecommunications, across countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and India.
In commenting on the satellite manufacturer contract with Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, Adrian Ballintine, NewSat Founder and CEO said: “Lockheed Martin is a world leader in defence and commercial space manufacturing. NewSat is delighted to award the contract to a trusted and important global player, who will support the deployment of Australia’s first independently owned commercial satellite.” “NewSat has made an initial payment and will continue to make the required milestone payments under the contract. In anticipation of the condition in the Lockheed Martin contract that financing be completed by the end of the fiscal year 2012, we lodged our applications earlier this year with export credit agencies U.S. Ex-Im Bank and Coface. Lockheed Martin actively supported our application when lodged and will continue to work with us in our activities with the U.S. Ex-Im Bank till conclusion.”
NewSat Limited (NWT) is Australia’s largest specialist satellite communications company, delivering Internet, voice, data and video communications via satellite. With its unique-to- Australia Teleport infrastructure, NewSat provides a full range of managed satellite communication services and has established a reputation as the partner of choice for governments, corporations and private enterprises. Today, NewSat has the ability to provide coverage to 75% of the globe; from Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, across the Indian Ocean extending into Europe and across the Pacific Ocean, reaching into the West coast of the USA. With offices in New York and Washington D.C., ArgoSat provides clients with dedicated expert advisory services in many areas of the commercial satellite industry, including M&A and joint venture discussions, strategic business development, project financing, satellite and launch service procurement support and program monitoring and management.
www.newsat.com
http://www.traderdealer.com.au/fundamentals/nwt
