SkyTerra 1 and SkyTerra 2 to be launched on ILS Proton

RESTON, Va., May 22, 2009 – International Launch Services (ILS) announced today that it will launch the SkyTerra 2 satellite. This is the second of two satellite launches that ILS has been awarded from SkyTerra, following the selection of ILS in May 2007 to launch SkyTerra 1 on an ILS Proton launch vehicle. SkyTerra 2 is a Boeing 702 satellite, weighing 5.4 metric tons and is under construction by Boeing Satellite Systems, in El Segundo, California. ILS and Khrunichev are implementing a schedule to support a launch in late 2010.

Frank McKenna, President of ILS said, “ILS/Proton was selected to launch the SkyTerra 1 two years ago with an option for a second launch. With this firm award to launch SkyTerra 2, SkyTerra has entrusted ILS to launch the full fleet of its next-generation satellites. SkyTerra has the confidence in ILS/ Proton to meet their schedule demands. ILS is honored to perform our role with the SkyTerra team in their planned next-generation network.”

“The ILS and Khrunichev partnership has the flexibility to support our demanding schedule,” said Alexander H. Good, Chairman, CEO and President of SkyTerra. He added, “We selected ILS/Proton because we have confidence in their ability to meet our upcoming launch schedule requirements.  We are looking forward to working closely with ILS on this critical component of our planned next-generation, integrated satellite-terrestrial wireless network for North America.”