Spacecom Satellite Communications will buy the Amos 5 communications satellite from Russia's JSC Academician MF Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems for $157 million. The Amos 5 is scheduled for delivery and launch by March 31, 2011 and is due to operate for 15 years.
Amos 5 will enable Spacecom to provide better satellite communications services for its customers, who now enjoy the service of Amos 2 and Amos 3, with Amos 4 to be launched in 2010.
Spacecom has the right to renege on the agreement to buy the Amos 5 up to the launch if the satellite cannot be delivered, if it does not pass operational ground tests, or if it is lost after launch. Academician MF can halt manufacture of the Amos 5 if Spacecom is overdue on payment.