SSL-built satellite for Australia's national broadband network is performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan

Palo Alto, CA - Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, today announced that its second high throughput satellite designed and built for Australia’s national broadband network (nbn™) was launched on Wednesday afternoon and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan.

The satellite, Sky Muster™ II, deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. It will begin firing its main thruster early tomorrow morning in order to propel it toward its final geostationary orbit. nbn will use Sky Muster™ II in conjunction with the first Sky Muster™ satellite, to provide high-speed broadband service to more than 200,000 Australians.

“The two nbn satellites are very sophisticated and complex high throughput satellites that will bring broadband internet to people that can’t be reached by the country’s fiber, cable, and wireless networks,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “SSL commends nbn on the implementation of its vision, which is improving the quality of life for so many people.”

Like the first nbn satellite, also built by SSL and launched last year, Sky Muster™ II is a Ka-band, high-throughput broadband satellite that uses multiple spot beams in an advanced design that optimizes bandwidth for Australia’s widely distributed population.

Together, the two satellites provide advanced services to Australia’s most difficult to reach citizens, including those in mainland Australia as well as those on offshore islands including Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, Lord Howe Island, Cocos, and Macquarie Island in the Antarctic.

“Sky Muster™ II, working in concert with the Sky Muster™ I satellite, will help bring essential services such as telehealth, video-conferencing, and distance education to people in regional and remote Australia,” said Bill Morrow, chief executive officer of nbn. “SSL has performed well in providing us with the space segment for our extensive network and our teams have worked closely to reinforce the Sky Muster™ service coverage with the Sky Muster™ II satellite.”

Sky Muster™ II is based on the powerful SSL 1300 platform, which provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications and advanced technologies. The SSL 1300 is the world’s leading platform for broadband HTS service.

About nbn

nbn was established in 2009 to implement the Australian Government’s policy initiative to design, build, and operate Australia’s broadband network to provide access to high speed broadband to all Australian premises. nbn is a wholly-owned by the Commonwealth Government and is represented by "Shareholder Ministers" — the Minister for Communications and the Minister for Finance. The organization’s goal is to connect eight million homes and businesses by 2020, bridging the digital divide between the city and bush, and Australia and the world... For more information, visit: www.nbn.com.au.

About SSL

SSL, a subsidiary of MDA, is a leading provider of commercial satellites with broad expertise to support satellite operators and innovative space related missions. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband internet, mobile communications, and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley innovator for more than 50 years, SSL’s advanced product line also includes state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics and automation solutions for remote operations. For more information, visit www.sslmda.com.

About MDA

MDA is a global communications and information company providing operational solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide.

MDA's business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, primarily in the Communications sector and the Surveillance and Intelligence sector. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development.

MDA's established global customer base is served by more than 4,800 employees operating from 13 locations in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.'s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDA."

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Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. and its subsidiaries (collectively “MDA” or the “Company”) with respect to future events and financial performance. When used in this news release, the words “believes”, “expects”, “plans”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “project”, “intend” or “outlook” or other variations of these words or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance; risks associated with satellite manufacturing, including competition, cyclicality of MDA’s end-user markets, contractual risks, creditworthiness of customers, performance of suppliers and management of MDA’s factory and personnel; risk associated with financial factors such as volatility in exchange rates, increases in interest rates, restrictions on access to capital by customer or MDA, and swings in global financial markets; risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation, including export controls and economic sanctions; and other risks, including litigation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information contained in this news release reflects MDA’s beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, MDA disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.

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