Satellite to Include X-band Payload for Government Applications
RESTON, VA, June 1, 2010 – International Launch Services (ILS) announced today a contract for the ILS Proton launch of Telesat’s Anik G1 satellite scheduled for the second half of 2012.
Anik G1 will be launched into geostationary orbit on an ILS Proton, carrying 16 transponders operating in the extended Ku-band that will be used by Shaw Direct, a leading provider of direct-to-home satellite TV services in Canada. Anik G1 will also provide expansion and follow-on capacity at 107.3 degrees West covering South America. In addition, Anik G1 will have capacity operating in the X-band frequencies over the Americas and the Pacific Ocean—the first satellite to cover the Pacific Ocean with substantial X-band coverage. To be built by Space Systems/Loral utilizing the flight-proven 1300 platform, Anik G1 is anticipated to have a service lifetime of 15 years.
The Proton vehicle is Russia’s premier heavy lift launcher and is built by Khrunichev Research and Space Production Center of Moscow. Khrunichev is the majority owner of ILS and one of the pillars of the Russian space industry. Proton has a long heritage with 356 launches performed since its inaugural flight in 1965. With Telesat, ILS has launched half of their operational fleet and placed their first direct broadcast digital satellite, Nimiq 1, into orbit over ten years ago.
ILS President Frank McKenna said, “This is the second ILS Proton award from Telesat this year and is a clear demonstration of our longstanding relationship and the confidence they have in ILS Proton. Anik G1 is a powerful satellite that plays a pivotal role in the expansion of satellite services in Canada and South America, but also for civil and military applications with its innovative X-band payload. We are happy to play a significant part in this program and in Telesat’s plan for growth.”
“This is an exciting announcement for Telesat,” said Dan Goldberg, President and CEO of Telesat. “Anik G1 will be a multipurpose satellite with high power extended Ku-band for DTH subscribers in Canada, an innovative X-band payload for government applications, and expansion capacity over South America. A launch on ILS Proton will support our growth and we look forward to working with the combined teams of ILS, Khrunichev and Space Systems/Loral on Anik G1.”