International Launch Services (ILS) and global satellite operator SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) today announced the ILS Proton launch of the SES-3 satellite with the Kazsat-2 telecommunications satellite in 2011.
The SES-3 satellite, the third in SES’s multi-satellite procurement agreement with Orbital Sciences, will mark the 5th SES mission for ILS/Proton in 2010-11. SES-3 is intended to replace existing spacecraft over the Americas.
The mission for the launch of SES-3 with Proton will be to insert the three-ton satellite into geostationary transfer orbit.
This agreement for the shared launch of SES-3 further demonstrates Proton’s capability to launch multiple spacecraft. In February of last year, Proton successfully launched the dual Express satellite mission with the Express-AM44 and Express MD1 satellites.
The Proton vehicle is Russia’s premier heavy lift launcher and is built by Khrunichev, the majority owner of ILS and one of the pillars of the Russian space industry. Proton has a long heritage with over 350 launches performed since its maiden flight in 1965.
Frank McKenna, President of ILS said, “ILS and SES have partnered in many industry firsts, including the first commercial Proton launch and the unique Multi-Launch Agreement to ensure access to space.
This contract is another milestone with SES with the shared launch of the SES-3 satellite on ILS Proton. This shared launch provides an alternative launch option that previously did not exist in the commercial launch market. We are pleased that we could deliver significant value for SES with a cost-effective solution to meet their specific business needs.”
“Since our first launch on an ILS Proton, SES has counted on ILS to provide access to space,” said Martin Halliwell, President of SES ENGINEERING. “ILS and Khrunichev have always supported the ongoing growth and success of our business. With the development of this shared launch capability, ILS Proton has provided a real value alternative to meet our requirements for the launch of SES-3, and will allow us to continue on our course of expansion of our global fleet and our business.”
About ILS and Khrunichev
ILS is a world leader in providing mission and launch services for global satellite operators and 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 350 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 SES
SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) wholly owns the market-leading satellite operators SES ASTRA and SES WORLD SKIES, 90% of SES SIRIUS in Europe, and participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a global fleet of 41 satellites in 26 orbital locations. For further information: www.ses.com
