Launch photo courtesy of ILS
The ILS Proton Breeze M launched from Pad 39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 1:15 a.m. local time (19:15 GMT, 3:15 p.m. EDT, on May 20th). After a 9 hour 13 minute mission, the Breeze M successfully released the satellite, weighing approximately 5 metric tons, into geostationary transfer orbit. This was the 364th launch for the Proton vehicle since its inaugural flight in 1965. Telesat’s Telstar 14R/Estrela do Sul 2 satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) on the SS/L 1300 platform and replaces Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul at the orbital location of 63 degrees West. Telstar 14R will provide long term service for Brazil, the Continental United States (including the Gulf of Mexico and Northern Caribbean), the Southern Cone of South America, the Andean region (including Central America and Southern Caribbean), and the North and Mid-Atlantic Ocean. The satellite’s Atlantic beam will expand on the Atlantic Ocean Region capacity now provided by Telstar 14 and Telstar 11N, and secure Telesat’s position as a leader in mobile broadband for maritime and aeronautical customers operating in the Atlantic.
ILS President Frank McKenna said, “We knew how critical it was to launch Telstar 14R on schedule to replace Telstar 14 for Telesat. With the early delivery of the satellite by Space Systems/Loral, ILS and Khrunichev were able to provide the flexibility needed to integrate and launch Telstar 14R well before the expected timeframe. ILS has two upcoming Proton missions with Telesat: Nimiq 6 and Anik G1, both scheduled for launch in 2012. We look forward to continuing to work with Telesat and delivering exceptional value to support their plans for expansion and growth.”
