SPACEPHOTOS

Hughes Space and Communications Company is building SATMEX 5, a high-power HS 601 spacecraft, for Satmex of Mexico. SATMEX 5 will be the third-generation Hughes satellite to serve Mexico. A more powerful satellite designed to provide more options for the region, SATMEX 5 will replace Morelos II. The spacecraft features 7,000 watts of payload power, nearly 10 times that of Morelos II, and carries 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders. In addition to serving Mexico, SATMEX 5 will also be capable of providing service to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, Venezuela and the United States. Hughes delivered Morelos I and Morelos II in 1985, followed by Solidaridad 1, an HS 601 model, in 1993, and a second HS 601, Solidaridad 2, in 1994. SATMEX 5 will be the first HS 601HP in the fleet. After an Ariane launch in 1998, SATMEX 5 will provide 15 years of service, double that of Morelos II, from 116.8 degrees West longitude.