Launch Vehicle: Proton M/Breeze M
Weight at liftoff: 691,272 kg (1.5 million lbs),
including payload
Height: 61 m (200 ft)

Launch Date: Monday, Dec. 30 (Baikonur)
Sunday, Dec. 29 (North America)

Launch Window Opens: 4:17 a.m. (Baikonur)
23:17 Dec. 29 GMT
6:17 p.m. Dec. 29 (EST/U.S. & Canada)

Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch Complex 81, Pad 24

End User: Telesat Canada

Satellite Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems

Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Moscow – Proton and Breeze M upper stage

Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services (ILS), McLean, Va.

Satellite Use: Direct-to-home broadcasting services across Canada for Bell ExpressVu

Satellite Statistics:
2nd in Nimiq DBS constellation
14th to be launched for Telesat in 30 years
Final orbital location: 91 degrees West longitude
Anticipated service life of 12 years
32 Ku-band transponders, plus Ka-band payload

Mission Profile: The Proton M/Breeze M launch vehicle will inject the Nimiq 2 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The first three stages will use a standard ascent trajectory and will separate the Breeze M upper stage with the satellite suborbitally. The Breeze M will then ignite the first time and reach a 213 km (132-mile) circular parking orbit, inclined at 51.6 degrees. Then the satellite will be propelled to its transfer orbit by three additional burns of the Breeze M. Following the fourth burn and separation from the upper stage, the spacecraft will perform a series of liquid apogee engine burns to circularize the orbit at the geostationary altitude of 36,000 km (22,300 miles).

Target Orbit at Separation:
Apogee: 35,786 km (22,236 miles)
Perigee: 7,700 km (4785 miles)
Inclination: 16.8 degrees

Spacecraft Separation: Approximately 6 hours, 53 minutes after liftoff

ILS Mission Statistics:
2nd mission with Proton M/Breeze M
7th LMCSS-built satellite on Proton
10th ILS mission this year
5th ILS Proton mission this year
26th ILS mission on Proton since formation of the U.S.-Russian joint venture in 1995

Live Broadcast in U.S.: Galaxy IV, transponder 18/C-band, 99 degrees West analog, downlink 4060 MHz
Test signals at 5:45 p.m. EST; broadcast starts at 6 p.m.

More Information: Live webcast and general mission information are available on the ILS web site. Launch status updates are available on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.