Space Systems/Loral has eliminated up to 300 jobs and suspended work on three communications satellites for Asian customers because of the region's economic crisis.
Loral has been building the L Star 1 and 2 satellites for Asia Broadcasting and Communications network of Bangkok and the M2A for P T Pasific Satelit Nusantara of Jakarta. The L Stars were to have been launched this year on Ariane boosters and the M2A in 1999.
The satellites may be deployed to other customers if the projects are not restarted the company says. Loral still has a backlog of $1.8 billion of satellite-manufacturing business. Loral still believes that "-Asia remains a robust, sustainable long term opportunity".
Source: Flight International
