Intelsat 19 launched successfully
Intelsat S.A. announced that a Sea Launch Zenit 3SL launch vehicle successfully launched the Intelsat 19 satellite from a mobile launch platform in the Pacific Ocean.
Liftoff occurred at 1:23 am EDT. Sixty minutes after launch, at 2:23 a.m. EDT, the Intelsat 19 satellite separated from the rocket’s upper stage and continued its ascent toward geosynchronous orbit.
Built by Space Systems/Loral, Intelsat 19 will provide C- and Ku-band capacity for media, government and network services customers in the western United States and the Asia-Pacific region, hosting video neighborhoods with global programmers such as Discovery, Turner and Disney.
It also carries three Ku-band mobility beams that will provide maritime and aeronautical users with always-on broadband connectivity throughout the northern and southwestern Pacific Ocean.
Once operational in July, Intelsat 19 will replace Intelsat 8 at 166° East and is expected to have a useful life of more than 18 years.
“Intelsat 19 will host a prime video neighborhood, with C-band capacity providing enhanced performance for distribution of international video content throughout the Asia-Pacific region and increased Ku-band capacity optimized for DTH,” said Intelsat CEO Dave McGlade.
“Additionally, this satellite is a critical element of what will be the world’s first single operator global broadband mobility network when it is completed in early 2013.”
Intelsat plans to launch three more satellites this year – Intelsat 20, Intelsat 21 and Intelsat 23 – all of which are scheduled for launch in the third quarter.
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