The contract was negotiated and signed in the framework of Eutelsat's strategy of contracting with different suppliers of satellites and launch services in order to ensure timely delivery of replacement capacity in orbit at its HOT BIRD's video neighborhood.

The launch is scheduled for the first quarter of 2006. The mission will use the powerful Proton/Breeze M launch vehicle configuration. The Proton is built by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center of Russia, which is partnered with Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) of the United States in the ILS joint venture.

ILS President Mark Albrecht said: "Eutelsat is a long-time and valued customer, which has repeatedly demonstrated its confidence in both ILS vehicles, Proton and Atlas. We pride ourselves in offering the world's two most reliable rockets. In addition, we are familiar with the candidate satellite models, so our vehicles can accommodate whichever payload is finally designated by Eutelsat.

"We look forward to another successful mission with Eutelsat at the beginning of 2006," Albrecht said.

This will be the eighth Eutelsat launch on an ILS vehicle, and the company's second on an ILS Proton. Eutelsat, one of the world's leading satellite operators, has launched six times successfully on ILS' Lockheed Martin-built Atlas rocket. Three of those missions were the inaugural flights of Atlas variants: Atlas II, Atlas III and Atlas V.

Giuliano Berretta, Eutelsat's CEO, said: "It is important for our company's business plan to bring new HOT BIRD capacity into service in early 2006 in order to enhance security of our satellite system and to replace HOT BIRD 1. We are pleased with the substantial flexibility ILS offers us, and we count on another good flight."

About ILS
ILS is the global leader in launch services. With a remarkable launch rate of 72 missions since 2000, the Atlas and Proton launch vehicles have consistently demonstrated the reliability and flexibility that have made them preferred choice among satellite operators worldwide. Since the beginning of 2003, ILS has signed more new commercial contracts than all of its competitors combined. ILS was formed in 1995, and is based in
McLean, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C.
www.ilslaunch.com

AboutEutelsat
With capacity commercialized on 23 satellites that provide coverage from North and South America to Far East Asia, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators. Its satellites are used for broadcasting more than 1,500 television and 800 radio stations to 120 million cable and satellite homes, for TV contribution services, corporate network solutions, positioning and communications solutions for mobile users, Internet backbone connections and broadband access for terrestrial, maritime and in-flight applications. Eutelsat has developed a range of turnkey broadband products for local communities, corporates, SoHos and consumers. Its broadband subsidiary Skylogic markets and operates services through multimedia platforms in France and Italy that serve sites in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, and with staff of 450 commercial, technical and operational experts from 25 countries, Eutelsat generated turnover of �760 million for the 2003/2004 financial year.
www.eutelsat.com

Contact: Vanessa O'Connor Tel: + 33 1 53 98 47 57; voconnor@eutelsat.fr