RESTON, Va. & PEMBROKE, Bermuda–International Launch Services (ILS) announces a second contract for two new firm launches and one optional launch for Intelsat of Bermuda, the world’s largest satellite operator. This comes on the heels of the March 23, 2009 announcement for the launch of the Intelsat 16 satellite on an ILS Proton. Contract terms and mission assignments for these awards were not disclosed.
Frank McKenna, President of ILS said, “This award of two firm launches and one optional launch continues the expansion of Proton launch services with Intelsat. Two months ago, we contracted for Intelsat 16 and this new award provides another strong vote of confidence and trust in ILS Proton. Our team is pleased to partner with Intelsat on all of these missions, delivering quality and critical schedule assurance that is integral to the success of their business.”
Ken Lee, Intelsat’s Senior Vice President Space Systems said, “Selecting ILS Proton for additional launches was a logical extension for our business needs. Intelsat depends on the reliability of an on-time, on-orbit launch for each of our satellites to expand our business and serve all of our customers. We look forward to this successful relationship with ILS.”
About ILS and Khrunichev
ILS is a world leader in providing mission and launch services for global satellite operators. ILS offers a complete array of services and support, from contract signing through mission management and on-orbit delivery. ILS has exclusive rights to market the Proton vehicle and is a U.S. company headquartered in Reston, Va., near Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.ilslaunch.com.
Khrunichev, which holds the majority interest in ILS, is one of the cornerstones of the Russian space industry. Khrunichev manufactures the Proton system and is developing the Angara launch system. The Proton launches from facilities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and has a heritage of over 340 missions since 1965. Khrunichev includes among its branches a number of key manufacturers of launch vehicle and spacecraft components in Moscow and in other cities of the Russian Federation. For more information, visit www.khrunichev.com.
About Intelsat:
Intelsat is the leading provider of fixed satellite services worldwide. For more than 40 years, Intelsat has been delivering information and entertainment for many of the world’s leading media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet service providers and governmental agencies. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video, data and voice services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and broadband access, with Intelsat, advanced communications anywhere in the world are closer, by far.
Contact:
International Launch Services, Reston
Karen Monaghan, Director of Communications, +1-571-633-7549
Mobile: +1-571-282-5195
k.monaghan@ilslaunch.com
Visit the ILS web site at www.ilslaunch.com
