Intelsat S.A., the world’s leading provider of satellite services, announced today that at 1:57 a.m. EST, the launch of the Intelsat 27 satellite failed approximately 40 seconds after liftoff. A Zenit 3SL launch vehicle was carrying the satellite built by Boeing. Intelsat 27 was to operate from 304.5o East, an orbital location currently occupied by Intelsat 805 and Galaxy 11. The satellite is designed to serve customers in North America, South America, the North Atlantic and Europe.
Sea Launch will establish a Failure Review Oversight Board to determine the cause of the failure. Service to customers on Intelsat 805 and Galaxy 11 will not be interrupted as a result of today’s event. Intelsat is committed to working with its customers to identify the most appropriate solutions for service continuity. The satellite and launch were fully insured.
“We are clearly disappointed with the outcome of the launch. The cause of the failure is unknown, but we will work closely with our launch and manufacturing partners to determine the necessary next steps,” said Intelsat CEO David McGlade.
About Intelsat
Intelsat is the leading provider of satellite services worldwide. For over 45 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.
Intelsat Safe Harbor Statement
Some of the statements in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements” that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. The forward-looking statements made in this release reflect Intelsat’s intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of Intelsat’s control. Known risks include, among others, the risks included in Intelsat’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the political, economic and legal conditions in the markets we are targeting for communications services or in which we operate and other risks and uncertainties inherent in the telecommunications business in general and the satellite communications business in particular. Because actual results could differ materially from Intelsat’s intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about the future, you are urged to view all forward-looking statements contained in this news release with caution. Intelsat does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact:
Intelsat
Dianne VanBeber, +1 202 944 7406
Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications
dianne.vanbeber@intelsat.com
