Bern, Switzerland, June 17, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sea Launch AG and Eutelsat today announced the finalization of an agreement to launch the EUTELSAT 3B spacecraft in April 2014 utilizing the Sea Launch Zenit-3SL launch system and launching from the ocean-based Odyssey launch platform.

Currently under construction by Astrium, an EADS company, EUTELSAT 3B is based upon the Eurostar-3000 platform. Operating in C, Ku and Ka-bands, the satellite has been designed with high levels of operational flexibility to serve video, data, Internet and telecom customers across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and parts of South America. It will operate from Eutelsat's orbital slot located at 3 degrees East longitude in geostationary Earth orbit and have a separated launch mass of more than six metric tonnes.

"This agreement represents a significant expression of customer confidence in Sea Launch program, both in our capability demonstrated to date as well as in our future " said Sergey Gugkaev, chief executive officer of Sea Launch, Kjell Karlsen, president of Sea Launch, added, "We are very pleased with the confidence and trust placed in us by Eutelsat, and look forward to building upon the successful launches of Eutelsat spacecraft in 2011 and 2012."

Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO, added: "We look forward to working once again with the Sea Launch teams on the EUTELSAT 3B mission following the successful launches of EUTELSAT 70B in 2012 and EUTELSAT 7 West A in 2011. This new contract increases the flexibility we need to pursue our in-orbit expansion plan of six new satellites by end 2015 that will diversify our overall resources, increase our operational flexibility and further raise in-orbit security."

About Sea Launch AG

Sea Launch AG provides launch solutions to the industry's satellite operator community based on the Zenit launch system. These services include the provision of all-inclusive launch services incorporating schedule assurance, financing, risk management; insurance and creative contracting solutions to meet the changing demands of the commercial launch market. Sea Launch AG owns and manages the primary technology, patent and other intellectual property and tangible assets of the company. The Sea Launch system offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial communications satellites, providing diversity of supply, affordability and flexibility for the industry's satellite operators. For more information, please visit the Sea Launch website at: www.sea-launch.com.

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