Posted: Wed, Mar 14, 2012, 6:15 AM ET (1015 GMT)
Boeing will build four "all-electric" satellites for a pair of commercial customers, who will launch the satellites with SpaceX, the companies announced Tuesday. Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) and Satmex will order a total of four Boeing 702SP satellites, with the first two scheduled for delivery in late 2014 and early 2015. The satellites are the first in Boeing's new 702SP line of communications satellites, a smaller version of the company's existing 702 satellites. The 702SP satellites use electric propulsion systems exclusively, allowing them to weigh less than satellites that use conventional chemical propulsion systems. In a separate deal, SpaceX announced it will launch the satellites for ABS and Satmex on its Falcon 9 rockets, with two satellites launched at a time.

Related Links:

•  Space News article
•  Los Angeles Times article
•  Reuters article
•  Boeing press release
•  SpaceX press release