An artist's concept of PAS-10. Photo: Boeing Satellite Systems

PanAmSat Corporation announced that the company's new PAS-10 Indian Ocean Region satellite has arrived in Kazakhstan in preparation for its May launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. PAS-10 will be rocketed into space aboard a Proton launch vehicle and will provide digital video, data and Internet services throughout a 30-million square mile footprint.

"PAS-10, which will deliver broadcast, high-speed data and Internet services across Europe, Africa and Asia, demonstrates our strong commitment to our long-term and valued customers," Robert A. Bednarek, PanAmSat's executive vice president and chief technology officer. "When PAS-10 goes into operation it also will enable PanAmSat to target new growth opportunities emerging in the Indian subcontinent as well as Central and Western Asia."

PAS-10, which contains 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, will succeed the PAS-4 Indian Ocean Region satellite at 68.5 degrees east longitude. At that location, the company's latest spacecraft will broadcast some of the world's top international programming to audiences throughout its footprint, including the BBC, CNN, CCTV, Discovery, Doordarshan, ESPN, MTV, NHK, Nickelodeon, Sony and TNT.

PAS-10's Ku-band payload, which offers 60 percent more Ku-band transmission power than that of the PAS-4 satellite, contains multiple high- powered beams focused on Africa, Europe, India, the Middle East, Central and Western Asia as well as Northeast Asia. Many of these beams can be switched between the various regions, offering greater versatility and flexible service options for the creation of new platforms for the delivery of data and IP-based services.

PanAmSat is a leading provider of global video and data broadcasting services via satellite. The company builds, owns and operates networks that deliver entertainment and information to cable television systems, TV broadcast affiliates, direct-to-home TV operators, Internet service providers, telecommunications companies and corporations. With 20 spacecraft in orbit today, PanAmSat has the world's largest commercial geostationary satellite network. The company will expand its global fleet to 22 spacecraft by year-end 2001. PanAmSat is 81 percent owned by HUGHES Electronics Corporation.