International Launch Services (ILS) announced a contract today for the launch of the ViaSat-1 satellite on an ILS Proton. The satellite is under construction by Space Systems Loral and is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2011 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
ViaSat-1 is a high capacity Ka-band spot beam satellite, which is expected to be the highest capacity of all current and planned North American satellites with 10 times the throughput of any other Ka-band satellite. ViaSat-1 will provide broadband Internet services to customers and businesses across North America.
“We are honored with ViaSat’s selection of an ILS Proton for the critical role of launching the ViaSat-1 satellite. With Proton, ViaSat’s launch on demand requirements with a dedicated, heavy-lift vehicle will be met. ViaSat has put their trust in us to launch their first broadband services satellite and we look forward to an ongoing, successful partnership,” said Frank McKenna, President of ILS.
ViaSat Inc. CEO Mark Dankberg said, “The selection of ILS and Proton to launch ViaSat-1 provides the best overall value to meet our business and program requirements. We needed a dedicated, heavy-lift vehicle with a proven record for on-time delivery. We are pleased to partner with ILS in meeting the expectations of our customers.”
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 ViaSat Inc.
ViaSat produces innovative satellite and other digital communication products and services that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to any location. The company provides networking products and managed network services for enterprise IP applications; is a key supplier of network-centric military communications and encryption technologies to the U.S. government; and is the primary technology partner for gateway and customer premises equipment for consumer and mobile satellite broadband services. For more information visit www.viasat.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events that are subject to the safe harbor contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industries in which ILS and ViaSat operate and the beliefs and assumptions of their respective management. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the manufacture or launch of ViaSat-1 or implementation of the satellite service business in a timely manner; the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the ViaSat-1 satellite; cost overruns and schedule delays; difficulties in obtaining regulatory approvals; launch failure, damage or destruction during launch or improper orbital placement; potential satellite failures or performance degradations; and in-orbit risks including malfunctions and collisions with meteoroids, decommissioned spacecraft or other space debris. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in ViaSat SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including those identified in ViaSat’s most recent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. ILS and ViaSat undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.
