-- Sea Launch has received a firm
contract award from Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS) for the launch of the
SPACEWAY(TM) 3 communications satellite, projected for early 2007.
A Sea Launch Zenit-3SL vehicle will launch the SPACEWAY 3 satellite, with
a mass of more than 6000 kg, to geosynchronous transfer orbit from the Odyssey
Launch Platform, positioned on the Equator. Sea Launch's reliable direct
insertion into equatorial orbit is expected to yield additional years of life
for this spacecraft, which will provide services to the North American market.
The Boeing 702 spacecraft is being manufactured at Boeing's Satellite
Development Center in El Segundo, Calif. This is the eighth new launch
contract Sea Launch has signed in 2005.
SPACEWAY satellites are the first in the world to be designed for
broadband data communications and have the ability to switch and route traffic
on board, enabling single-hop communications between any two satellite
terminals, eliminating the need for the traffic to be routed through a central
hub Earth station. SPACEWAY's advanced antenna technology allows the dynamic
formation and shaping of spot beams creating the opportunity to manage
capacity flexibly and to deliver true bandwidth-on-demand services. The
SPACEWAY 3 satellite will operate in the globally assigned Ka-band spectrum at
95 degrees West Longitude and will support a new range of high-speed
communications services for IP data and multimedia applications to enterprise,
consumer and government customers.
"Sea Launch is proud to be the launch services provider of choice to
Hughes Network Systems for this cutting-edge, broadband satellite," said Jim
Maser, president of Sea Launch. "The combined expertise of our teams will
bring the unique and powerful technology of the SPACEWAY platform to life in
orbit."
"This is a very exciting time for HNS," said Pradman Kaul, chairman and
CEO of Hughes Network Systems. "With the launch of SPACEWAY 3, HNS will enter
a new era as a satellite system operator in addition to being a broadband
services provider and satellite terminal manufacturer. Sea Launch has
demonstrated that they have the capability to deliver reliable and accurate
launch services. We look forward to providing exciting new, value-added
solutions to our customers."

About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS) is the world's leading provider of
broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more
than 850,000 systems ordered or shipped to customers in 85 countries. HNS
pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services and
IP-based networks, which it markets globally under the DIRECWAY(R) brand.
DIRECWAY terminals are based on the IPoS (IP over Satellite) global standard,
approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU standards organizations.
Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS
maintains sales and support offices worldwide. SkyTerra Communications, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: SKYT) and The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTV) each owns
50% of HNS. SkyTerra is its managing member. For additional information,
please visit: http://www.hns.com.

About Sea Launch
Sea Launch Company, LLC, headquartered in Long Beach, California, USA, is
the world's most reliable heavy-lift commercial launch service. An
international partnership of The Boeing Company (U.S.), Kvaerner ASA (Norway),
RSC Energia (Russia) and SDO Yuzhnoye/PO Yuzhmash (Ukraine), Sea Launch offers
the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial
spacecraft. With the advantage of a launch site on the Equator, the reliable
Zenit-3SL rocket can lift a heavier spacecraft mass or provide longer life on
orbit, offering best value plus schedule assurance. For additional
information