Focus on Performance (Cont.)

LIFTOFF: Are current enhancements part of a recurring plan for Proton development? Is there another block of improvements already planned for the future?

Bonner: Yes, this phase of enhancements is only one stage of an existing development plan for Proton that has been in the works almost since the introduction of the Breeze M. About one year ago, Khrunichev started working another block change program of additional enhancements that is expected to roll out in mid-2008. These improvements include third stage propellant depletion, light-weight battery design on Breeze M and mission-specific loading of the attitude control propellants on Breeze M.

LIFTOFF: Will customers be able to select which enhancements they want for each mission? What will become of the current Proton baseline configuration?

Bonner: Since one of our primary objectives is to improve reliability, the Proton enhancements will not be offered as customizable options. Doing so would create longer production times and increase the potential for error. Instead, the goal is best put as "do one thing and do it well." By early 2009, Khrunichev plans to be producing and launching only one configuration of the Proton Breeze M, for both ILS commercial and Russian government missions with a payload capability in excess of six metric tons.

Be sure to join us on July 6 (July 7 at the launch site) for a live web broadcast of DIRECTV 10, featuring the launch of the most powerful Proton Breeze M ever! We are excited to debut this capability as we continue proving our commitment to performance customer satisfaction.
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