Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), the world’s leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that the Satmex 8 satellite built for Satelites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. (Satmex), has arrived at the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan, where it will be launched aboard a Proton Breeze M vehicle provided by International Launch Services (ILS).
“Satmex and SS/L share a commitment to broadening the availability of communication services,” said John Celli, president of SS/L. “Satmex 8 is the second satellite we have built for Satmex and we are looking forward to the upcoming launch.”
Satmex 8 is a Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) spacecraft that will provide video content and distribution, broadband services, and cellular backhaul in North, South and Central America. It will also help people in remote areas and provide service for telemedicine, distance learning, and emergency services. Satmex 8 will replace Satmex 5 at the orbital location of 116.8 degrees West longitude.
“Together with SS/L-built Satmex 6, Satmex 8 will serve as a work horse to sustain our business plan for many years to come,” said Jesus Gutierrez, program manager and director of engineering of Satmex. “SS/L has been excellent to work with and we are very pleased with the satellite.”
Satmex 8 will carry 24 C-band and 40 Ku-band transponders. It is based on the highly reliable SS/L 1300 platform which offers the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The satellite is designed to deliver service for 15 years or more.
About Satmex
Satelites Mexicanos (“Satmex”) is a significant provider of fixed satellite services (“FSS”) in the Americas, coverage of more than 90% of the population of the region across more than 45 nations and territories. As one of only two privately-managed FSS providers based in Latin America, Satmex (together with its predecessors) has designed, procured, launched and operated three generations of satellites over a 25 year period. Satmex’s current fleet is comprised of three satellites in highly attractive, contiguous orbital slots that enable its customers to effectively serve their entire coverage footprint utilizing a single satellite connection.
For further information, visit www.satmex.com
About SS/L
SS/L has a long history of delivering reliable satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. As the world’s leading provider of commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite operators to provide spacecraft for a broad range of services including television and radio distribution, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and mobile communications. Billions of people around the world depend on SS/L satellites every day. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.
