First Lockheed Martin Intersputnik Satellite Arrives in Baikonur for Launch.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 1, 1999--

The first Lockheed Martin Intersputnik (LMI) satellite arrived today at the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch site in Khazakhstan, where it will be readied for launch later this month on an International Launch Services-supplied Proton launch vehicle.

The satellite, called LMI-1, was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems.

LMI-1 will operate at an orbital location of 75 degrees East. Equipped with 44 high-power C and Ku-band transponders, the satellite will provide high-quality and reliable fixed service telephony and direct broadcast television service. The satellite will help satisfy the rapidly growing demand of Russian telecommunication and broadcasting companies for satellite capacity. The spacecraft is the first of several planned state-of-the-art satellites that are to provide connectivity to business and residential customers. In addition to its Russian coverage, LMI-1 is to deliver telecommunications services in the Commonwealth of Independent States, Eastern and Central Europe, Asia and Africa.

The satellite left Moffett Federal Airfield at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time Aug. 30 on an Antonov transport aircraft. LMI-1 arrived in Baikonur today at 10:00 a.m. PDT. LMI-1 is planned to begin providing service in November, following in-orbit checkout operations.

"This satellite will bring superior telecommunications coverage to an area that will benefit greatly from these space-based services," said Ralph Littreal, Commercial Space Systems program manager for LMI-1. "The team members from Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications and Intersputnik have contributed greatly to this program and I greatly appreciate our continuing relationship."

"We're looking forward to providing a reliable, high power service to the people in this region and we are quite proud of this venture with our Russian partners in Intersputnik," commented John Sponyoe, President of Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications and Co-Chairman of the Lockheed Martin Intersputnik venture.

LMI-1 is an A2100 geostationary satellite manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. The satellite was built in the company's state-of-the art commercial satellite manufacturing facility in Sunnyvale.

Lockheed Martin Intersputnik (LMI) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications and the Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications. LMI was established in June 1997 to launch and operate a fleet of modern communications satellites forming a global integrated system for communications and broadcasting services. LMI draws upon the expertise and capabilities of its two parent companies to provide a full range of global satellite telecommunications services.

Intersputnik is an international intergovernmental organization established in 1971 to operate a global commercial satellite-based telecommunications system. Today, Intersputnik has 23 member nations and provides high-quality international, regional and national communication services in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean regions. Intersputnik's users are state-run and private telecommunications and broadcasting organizations worldwide.

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems markets, designs and builds geostationary and non-geostationary communications and remote sensing satellites for customers worldwide, including Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications. In addition, Commercial Space Systems offers turnkey space-based solutions including the spacecraft, ground systems, launch operations and on-orbit support. Commercial Space Systems is an operating unit of Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space, based in Sunnyvale. Both businesses are part of the Lockheed Martin Space & Strategic Missiles Sector, one of the four principal business segments of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a highly diversified global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses span space and telecommunications, electronics, information and services, aeronautics, energy and systems integration. Employing more than 161,000 people worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 1998 sales surpassing $26 billion.