SSL ADVANCES SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPULSION CAPABILITIES IN COLLABORATION WITH BUSEK TO TARGET U.S. GOVERNMENT NEEDS
02/10/2016
PALO ALTO, Calif. – February 10, 2016 — Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that it is collaborating with a U.S. technology innovator, Busek Co, Inc. to advance the current capability of solar electric propulsion systems. SSL and Busek plan to build on the current collaboration specifically to address the future needs of NASA and other U.S. government agencies.
Busek developed the first U.S. built Hall Effect thruster to ever fly in space and regularly collaborates with U.S. government agencies such as NASA and the Department of Defense to provide propulsion units and technologies. SSL has been providing spacecraft with electric propulsion since 2004 and has built 18 satellites driven by solar electric propulsion systems that are providing service in geostationary orbit today.
“Our collaboration with Busek will accelerate the development of a highly effective and competitive thruster production capability,” said Dr. Matteo Genna, chief technology officer of SSL. “Working together will put us at the forefront of advances that will benefit satellite operators and are essential to the development of future space infrastructure and space exploration.”
“SSL’s experience and insight will help guide the direction we take in driving advances in high performance thruster technology,” said Dr. Vlad Hruby, president of Busek.
“We are pleased to have support from the leading provider of commercial satellites, which will help us enter new markets and further develop production capabilities.”
About Busek
Busek Co. Inc. is an industry leader in the development and manufacture of high performance space propulsion systems. The firm’s satellite products include highly efficient solar electric propulsion systems such as Hall thrusters, electrospray thrusters, radio frequency ion thrusters, and pulsed plasma thrusters, in addition to green monopropellant thrusters. Busek’s expertise across multiple space propulsion disciplines enables it to provide unbiased solutions to best fit customers’ needs.
About SSL
Space Systems Loral (SSL) 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of Space Systems Loral (SSL) 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 SSL’s end-user markets, contractual risks, creditworthiness of customers, performance of suppliers and management of SSL’s factory and personnel; risk associated with financial factors such as volatility in exchange rates, increases in interest rates, restrictions on access to capital, 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 SSL’s beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, SSL disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.
# # #
