Inmarsat Selects ILS Proton to Launch S-Band Satellite for Europe
(Reston, Va., August 22, 2008) -- International Launch Services (ILS) announced a contract today with Inmarsat for the launch of an S-band satellite to provide mobile broadcast and two-way telecommunications services throughout Europe.
The contract follows this week's successful launch of the Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite on an ILS Proton Breeze M vehicle. Inmarsat is a London-based provider of global mobile broadband services. ILS holds the exclusive worldwide rights to market and sell commercial launch services on the Proton launch vehicle. The Proton booster and Breeze M are both manufactured by Khrunichev Space Center, the majority owner of ILS and one of the cornerstones of the Russian space industry.
Thales Alenia Space of France is developing Inmarsat's S-band satellite, known as EuropaSat, using its Spacebus 4000C3 platform. The spacecraft will provide mobile broadcast and two-way telecommunications services throughout Europe. The spacecraft will have a mass of about 5700 kg, which is well-suited for Proton's heavy-lift capability. It is planned for launch in early 2011.
"We appreciate Inmarsat's selection of ILS and the Proton system," said ILS President Frank McKenna. "This is a long-term valued customer, which had the confidence to be our successful return to flight this week. We will diligently support Inmarsat's S-band initiative."
"Following the successful launch of Inmarsat-4 F3, we are very grateful for ILS's support for our application for an award of S-band spectrum," said Inmarsat CEO Andy Sukawaty. "With Thales Alenia Space and ILS, we are confident of submitting a compliant and highly credible application to the European Commission and positioning ourselves as a leading applicant for a substantial S-band spectrum award."
Source : International Launch Services
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