PARIS, DOHA, Qatar and PALO ALTO, Calif., July 15, 2010 (GLOBE
NEWSWIRE) -- Eutelsat Communications (Euronext:ETL) (Paris:ETL) and
ictQATAR (representing the State of Qatar) announce today that
following an international consultation, Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has
been selected to build the high-performance satellite they will jointly
own and operate at the 25.5 degrees East location in geostationary
orbit.

The selection of prime contractor marks the next step forward in the
partnership signed in May by Eutelsat and ictQATAR to invest in and
operate a high-capacity satellite at 25.5 degrees East, one of the two
longstanding and anchored neighbourhoods serving rapidly expanding
markets in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia regions. The
two organisations selected Space Systems/Loral to deliver a spacecraft
with a more than 15-year design life based on the Space Systems/Loral
1300 satellite bus, which is a decades-proven, modular platform with
high power capability and flexibility for a broad range of
applications.

To enter into service in early 2013, this powerful satellite will
provide a significantly expanded mission and superior coverage across
the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia to follow on from
Eutelsat's EUROBIRD(TM) 2 satellite, which is currently operated at
25.5 degrees East. In addition to securing Ku-band continuity for
Eutelsat and additional Ku-band resources for ictQATAR, it will
initiate a Ka-band capability to open business opportunities for both
parties. The spacecraft's multi-mission architecture will enable
ictQATAR and Eutelsat to respond to demand for the fastest-growing
applications in the Middle East and North Africa, including video
broadcasting, enterprise communications and government services. The
television market will in particular benefit from the installed base of
more than 13 million satellite homes already equipped for
Direct-to-Home reception from this neighbourhood.

Dr. Hessa Al Jaber, ictQATAR Secretary General said: "This is an
important step forward as we work to meet the rapidly growing
communications needs in the region. The collaboration between ictQATAR
and Eutelsat on this strategic satellite is already proving
advantageous as both teams were able to bring complementary insight and
expertise to the decision-making process. In selecting Space
Systems/Loral we followed a fair and transparent process."

Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO added: "Following on from the historic
partnership signed with ictQATAR only two months ago, we are delighted
to take a further step forward with the selection of prime contractor
for our jointly-owned satellite. The close and positive collaboration
with ictQATAR during this process adds even further weight to our
conviction that we have begun a lasting relationship that will benefit
both organisations. The powerful new spacecraft delivered by Space
Systems/Loral will equip Eutelsat with the continuity we need at the
25.5 degrees East position, which is already a pillar for video
broadcasting in the Middle East and North Africa regions, and usher in
new business opportunities for us in the Ka-band."

John Celli, president of Space Systems/Loral said: "We look forward to
working with Eutelsat and ictQATAR to help broaden the availability of
communications technology in the region. Space Systems/Loral provides
satellites to the world's leading satellite operators and we are
pleased to add Eutelsat and ictQATAR as new customers."

About ictQATAR

The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology
(ictQATAR) connects people to the technologies that enrich their lives,
drive economic development and inspire confidence in the future.
ictQATAR is entrusted with two primary authorities: as the country's
independent and fair regulator of the telecommunications market, and as
the government body that nurtures innovative technologies to benefit
those who live and work in Qatar.

www.ictQATAR.qa

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext:ETL) (Paris:ETL) (ISIN code:
FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity
commercialised on 26 satellites that provide coverage over the entire
European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and
significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the
world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. At 31
March 2010, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 3,500
television channels. More than 1,100 channels broadcast via its HOT
BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves over 120
million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North
Africa. The Group's satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and
mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate
networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for
transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat's broadband
subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates access to high speed
internet services through teleports in France and Italy that serve
enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid
organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered
in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ nearly 650 commercial,
technical and operational employees from 28 countries.

www.eutelsat.com

About Space Systems/Loral

Space Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications
(Nasdaq:LORL), has a long history of delivering reliable satellites and
spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the
world. As the world's leading provider of commercial satellites, the
company works closely with satellite operators to provide spacecraft
for a broad range of services including television and radio
distribution, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and mobile
communications. Billions of people around the world depend on SS/L
satellites every day. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.

About Loral Space & Communications

Loral Space & Communications is a satellite communications company.
Through its Space Systems/Loral subsidiary, the company is a
world-class leader in the design and manufacture of satellites and
satellite systems for commercial and government applications including
direct-to-home television, broadband communications, wireless
telephony, weather monitoring, and air traffic management. Loral also
owns 64 percent of Telesat, one of the world's largest providers of
satellite services. Telesat operates a fleet of telecommunications
satellites used to broadcast video entertainment programming,
distribute direct-to-home video and broadband data services, and other
value-added communications services. For more information, visit
Loral's Web site at www.loral.com. LORL-G

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in
this press release, the words "believes," "expects," "plans," "may,"
"will," "would," "could," "should," "anticipates," "estimates,"
"project," "intend" or "outlook" or other variations of these words or
other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements and information. In addition, Loral Space & Communications
Inc., Space Systems/Loral, Inc. or their representatives have made or
may make forward-looking statements, orally or in writing, which may be
included in, but are not limited to, various filings made from time to
time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and press releases or
oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive
officer of the company. Actual results may differ materially from
anticipated results as a result of certain risks and uncertainties
which are described as "Risk Factors" and in the "Commitments and
Contingencies" note to the financial statements in Loral's most recent
Form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2010 and in our 2009 annual report on Form
10-K. The reader is specifically referred to this document, as well as
the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to (1)
risks associated with financial factors, including the global economic
downturn, our history of losses and financial covenants in SS/L's
credit agreement; (2) risks associated with satellite manufacturing,
including competition, contractual risks, creditworthiness of
customers, performance of suppliers and management of our factory and
personnel; (3) regulatory risks, such as the effect of U.S. export
control and economic sanction laws; and (4) other risks, including
litigation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive.
Furthermore, Loral and SS/L operate in an industry sector where
securities values may be volatile and may be influenced by economic and
other factors beyond the control of Loral and SS/L.


CONTACT:  ictQATAR
          Howaida Nadim, Communications Director
          + 974 4995323
          Fax: +974 4995352
          M: +974 5873227
          hnadim@ict.gov.qa

          Eutelsat 
          Press Contacts
          Vanessa O'Connor
            + 33 (0)1 53 98 37 91
            voconnor@eutelsat.fr
          Frederique Gautier
            + 33 (0)1 53 98 37 91
            fgautier@eutelsat.fr
          Investor Relations Contact
          Lisa Sanders Finas
            + 33 (0)1 53 98 30 92
            investors@eutelsat-communications.com

          Space Systems/Loral
          Media Contact: 
          Wendy Lewis
          +1 (650) 852-5188