MONTREAL, May 20, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) announced at the SpaceOps 2004 Conference in Montreal, Canada, that it has received an Authorization to Proceed (ATP) from EADS Astrium of Europe for work on the Anik F3 communications satellite.
EMS will design, integrate and test the C-Band, Ku-Band and Ka-Band antennas for Anik F3. To be delivered to EADS Astrium in 18 months, the antennas build upon a long heritage of similar high-performance antennas designed and built by EMS Technologies. Financial details were not released.
Anik F3 will be Telesat Canada's 17th satellite. When it launches in 2006, Anik F3 will provide a wide range of telecommunications, broadcasting, business communications, and Internet-based services to users across North America. This highly advanced satellite will be equipped with 24 active transponders in C-band, 32 in Ku-band and two in Ka-band. Anik F3 will have a launch mass of 4.6 tons, a solar array span of 35 meters once deployed in orbit, and spacecraft power of 10 kW at end of life. The satellite, operating in geostationary orbit, will provide commercial services for a minimum of 15 years
Alan L. Haase, senior vice president and general manager, Space & Technology / Montreal, an EMS Technologies division, commented, "EMS has a long and very successful history in supplying EADS Astrium with advanced antennas and electronic products for their leading-edge satellite systems. We are once again very pleased to be making important contributions to the success of EADS Astrium and, of course, to the success of Telesat Canada."
About EADS Astrium
EADS Astrium is Europe's leading satellite system specialist. Its activities cover complete civil and military telecommunications and Earth observation systems, science and navigation programmes, and all spacecraft avionics and equipment. EADS Astrium is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS SPACE, which is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems.
About Telesat Canada
Telesat Canada is a pioneer and world leader in satellite operations and systems management. The company made history in 1972 with the launch of the first domestic commercial communications satellite in geostationary orbit. Today, Telesat competes with other top international satellite fleets in providing telecommunications and broadcasting services throughout the Americas, and is a leading consultant, operator and partner in satellite ventures around the globe. Telesat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCE Inc., a leading communications company with shares listed in the United States, Canada and Europe.
About EMS Technologies, Inc.
EMS Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of technology solutions to wireless and satellite markets. The Company focuses on mobile information users, and increasingly on broadband applications. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, employs approximately 1,600 people worldwide, and has manufacturing facilities in Atlanta, Montreal, Ottawa and Brazil.
For more information, visit the company on the World Wide Web at www.ems-t.com.
For more information, please contact: Anne Wainscott-Sargent Graeme Maag Public Relations Public Affairs EMS Technologies Inc. Space & Technology Group / Montreal 770-263-9200, ext. 4326 514-425-3079 pr@ems-t.com maag.g@ems-t.ca