BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, May 21, 2011 – International Launch Services (ILS), a world leader in providing mission and launch services to the commercial satellite industry, successfully carried Telstar 14R/Estrela do Sul 2 into orbit today on an ILS Proton for Telesat, a leading global fixed satellite services operator.
The ILS Proton Breeze M launched from Pad 39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 1:15 a.m. today local time (19:15 GMT, 3:15 p.m. EDT, on May 20). After a 9 hour 13 minute mission, the Breeze M successfully released the satellite, weighing approximately 5 metric tons, into geostationary transfer orbit. This was the 364th launch for the Proton vehicle since its inaugural flight in 1965.
Telesat’s Telstar 14R/Estrela do Sul 2 satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) on the SS/L 1300 platform and replaces Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul at the orbital location of 63 degrees West. Telstar 14R will provide long term service for Brazil, the Continental United States (including the Gulf of Mexico and Northern Caribbean), the Southern Cone of South America, the Andean region (including Central America and Southern Caribbean), and the North and Mid-Atlantic Ocean. The satellite’s Atlantic beam will expand on the Atlantic Ocean Region capacity now provided by Telstar 14 and Telstar 11N, and secure Telesat’s position as a leader in mobile broadband for maritime and aeronautical customers operating in the Atlantic.
ILS President Frank McKenna said, “We knew how critical it was to launch Telstar 14R on schedule to replace Telstar 14 for Telesat. With the early delivery of the satellite by Space Systems/Loral, ILS and Khrunichev were able to provide the flexibility needed to integrate and launch Telstar 14R well before the expected timeframe. ILS has two upcoming Proton missions with Telesat: Nimiq 6 and Anik G1, both scheduled for launch in 2012. We look forward to continuing to work with Telesat and delivering exceptional value to support their plans for expansion and growth.”
“ILS and Khrunichev executed another flawless on-orbit launch, which was our seventh on ILS Proton,” said President and CEO of Telesat, Dan Goldberg. “Telstar 14R/Estrela do Sul 2 is an important satellite for our customers operating in the Americas and the North Atlantic Ocean, regions where demand for high-powered Ku-band capacity continues to grow. I am extremely grateful for the expertise, professionalism and teamwork of Telesat, ILS, Khrunichev, and Space Systems/Loral that resulted in a successful launch of our newest satellite well ahead of schedule.”