BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, August 20, 2009 — Following the delivery of the Nimiq 5 telecommunications satellite by one day, the Breeze M upper stage designated for the Nimiq 5 launch arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Wednesday, 18 August.  The spacecraft built by Space Systems/Loral for Telesat of Canada will undergo testing and preparations for the upcoming launch.

International Launch Services, Inc. holds exclusive rights to market the Proton launcher for commercial launches.  The spacecraft will liftoff onboard an ILS Proton in mid-September. It will eventually be positioned at 72.7 degrees West longitude and provide high-definition and direct-to-home services across Canada as well as the Continental United States.