[Satellite Today – 4-8-08] SES Americom has ordered a third satellite from Orbital Sciences Corp., SES Americom announced April 8.
    The satellite was ordered under the multi-satellite contract the two companies announced in May 2007. Under this contract, the first and second satellites ordered were AMC-5R and a ground spare. That ground spare will now become AMC-1R, and a new ground spare will be produced for a future use.    
    Planned for launch in the second half of 2009, AMC-1R, which carry 24 C- and Ku-band transponders and be placed at 103° West.
    “Our close collaboration with SES in defining standardized spacecraft requirements for multiple satellites is enabling us to produce, deliver and launch one of our Star spacecraft in under 24 months,” Mike Larkin, Orbital’s executive vice president and general manager of its Space Systems Group, said in a statement.