RESTON, Va., March 9, 2012 – International Launch Services (ILS) announces a new contract for launch of the MEXSAT-1 satellite on an ILS Proton for the Mexican government’s Ministry of Communications and Transportation, the Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT). The satellite is under construction by Boeing Satellite Systems of El Segundo, California.  ILS and Khrunichev are implementing a mission integration schedule to support a ILS Proton launch of MEXSAT-1 into geostationary transfer orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in 2013-14.

MEXSAT-1 is a high-power, 5800 kg satellite built on Boeing’s 702 HP platform for GEO-Mobile services, designed for a lifetime of 15 years. The satellite will carry a 22-meter L-band reflector for mobile terminal links, complemented by a 2-meter Ku-band antenna. Located at the orbital location of 113 degrees West, MEXSAT-1 will join the country’s current satellite fleet to offer mobile satellite services and fixed satellite services to support governmental, civil and humanitarian efforts.

The Proton vehicle has a heritage of 373 launches since 1965 and is built by Khrunichev Research and State Production Center, one of the pillars of the global space industry and the majority owner of ILS.

Frank McKenna, President of ILS said, “We are honored to be selected by SCT to deploy the expanded coverage of communication services throughout Mexico with the launch of MEXSAT-1 on ILS Proton. ILS and Khrunichev are poised to support SCT’s schedule requirements and look forward to delivering outstanding value with an ILS Proton launch.”