ILS Proton Successfully Launches Inmarsat-4 F3 Satellite

(Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, August 19, 2008) -- A Proton Breeze M launch vehicle successfully lifted the Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite into orbit today, marking the third mission of the year for International Launch Services (ILS).

The Proton Breeze M vehicle, built by Khrunichev Space Center of Moscow, lifted off from Pad 39 at the cosmodrome at 4:43 today local time (18:43 EDT Monday, 22:43 GMT Monday). After a 9-hour-3-minute mission, the launcher released the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit.

The Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite, a Eurostar 3000GM model built by EADS Astrium, is expected to go into service at 98 degrees West longitude, where it will deliver mobile broadband services over the United States for Inmarsat of London.

"This is a major milestone event for Inmarsat. ILS is proud to be a part of the construction of their global service with the successful Proton launch of Inmarsat-4 F3 today," said ILS President Frank McKenna.

"Congratulations to ILS on another successful Proton launch. The F3 launch has been highly anticipated. This satellite will enable Inmarsat to complete its BGAN services to subscribers across the globe," said Andrew Sukawaty, president and CEO of Inmarsat. "We thank ILS for its due diligence in returning to flight successfully."

Source : International Launch Services

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