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Intelsat confirms IA-9 launch INTELSAT NEWS RELEASE Posted: May 7, 2006 Intelsat has decided to launch its Intelsat Americas-9 (IA-9) satellite in the fourth quarter of 2007. The decision will allow Intelsat to serve customer demand for high-powered Ku-band capacity for data networking, video and other applications. IA-9 will be placed at the 97 degrees West Longitude orbital position, which is now occupied by IA-5. The IA-9 satellite will serve the existing and growth requirements of key customers from that orbital location. Following the launch of IA-9, the IA-5 satellite is planned to be redeployed to a currently unserved location at 77 degrees WL, giving Intelsat the opportunity to develop a new role in the broadcast arc. Adding to Intelsat's current global fleet of 27 owned and operated satellites, the IA-9 satellite will sustain Intelsat's position as one of the leading carriers of international programming in North America, as well as providing space segment for media, enterprise and government customers. At 97 degrees WL, the Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) built IA-9 will provide coverage over the Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Caribbean and parts of Canada. The spacecraft will offer 28 Ku-band and 24 C-band transponders. Intelsat CEO, David McGlade, said, "This is a win for Intelsat customers because it will bring new, powerful capacity to market and give them new avenues for growth. At the same time, it is a win for Intelsat, as it allows us to build backlog at one of our most successful orbital locations while developing a currently unoccupied orbital role to open up new revenue streams. In terms of capital expenditures, we're just accelerating the launch capex by a few years." Intelsat has signed a firm launch contract with Sea Launch to launch the IA-9 spacecraft by the fourth quarter of 2007. This mission will be Sea Launch's second with Intelsat; the IA-8 mission was successfully completed in June 2005. Intelsat is a global communications provider offering flexible and secure services to customers in over 200 countries and territories. Intelsat has maintained a leadership position for over 40 years by distributing video, voice, and data for television and content providers, government and military entities, major corporations, telecommunications carriers, and Internet service providers. Intelsat's reach, power and expanding solutions portfolio deliver information reliably and quickly to every corner of the globe. |
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NASA managers hold this news conference April 28 to give an update on plans for the next space shuttle mission, the ongoing external fuel tank testing and debates over further modifications.
The Boeing Delta 2 rocket carrying the CALIPSO and CloudSat atmospheric research spacecraft lifts off at 3:02 a.m. local time April 28 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, the external fuel tank for the STS-121 space shuttle mission is hoisted into position for attachment with the twin solid rocket boosters atop a mobile launch platform. The tank, ET-119, will carry the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to feed Discovery's three main engines during launch.
In preparation for space shuttle Discovery's departure from its Orbiter Processing Facility hangar for rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building and mating with the tank and boosters, the ship's 60-foot long payload bay doors are swung shut.