ILS Announces Multi-Launch Agreement with Intelsat
International Launch Services (ILS) announces a Multi-Launch Agreement with Intelsat (NYSE: I), the world’s leading provider of satellite services, for five ILS Proton missions through 2023 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The Multi-Launch Agreement is designed to provide Intelsat with increased flexibility in their fleet management and the necessary launch schedule assurance that they require. The five satellites, yet to be designated, will be launched using the Proton Breeze M launch vehicle, manufactured by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center (Khrunichev), the majority owner of ILS and one of the mainstays of the space industry. Proton has launched 407 missions since its maiden flight in 1965. Under the auspices of ILS, there have been 91 ILS Proton missions launched for global commercial satellite operators.
Kirk Pysher, President of ILS said, “Intelsat and ILS have a long-standing partnership beginning with our first Intelsat launch over 18 years ago. Since that inaugural launch, Proton has successfully delivered 11 Intelsat satellites to orbit. With this Multi-Launch Agreement, we look forward to providing Intelsat with a flexible and reliable solution for expansion of their global fleet. We thank Intelsat for their continued trust and confidence in ILS, KhSC and the Proton Breeze M launch vehicle.”
“Given the size of Intelsat’s global fleet, we need assured and timely access to space, with launch providers that are committed partners with the ability to meet our high quality standards and schedule requirements,” said Thierry Guillemin, Executive Vice President, and Chief Technology Officer of Intelsat. “To that end, launch diversity is essential to the success of our sector. ILS and Khrunichev have committed to a path that will return them to the highest quality standards. Our agreement with ILS, which covers a span of seven years, will support our goal of improved access to space.”
About ILS and Khrunichev
ILS provides launch services for global satellite operators and offers a complete array of services and support, from contract signing through mission management and on-orbit delivery. ILS markets the Proton and Angara vehicles to commercial satellite operators worldwide and is a U.S. company headquartered in Reston, VA, near Washington, D.C.
To date, ILS has launched 91 commercial missions. For more information, visit www.ilslaunch.com.
Khrunichev, which holds the majority interest in ILS, is one of the cornerstones of the Russian space industry. Khrunichev manufactures the Proton system and the Angara family of vehicles. The Proton vehicle launches from facilities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and has a heritage of more than 400 missions since 1965. Khrunichev includes, among its branches, a number of key manufacturers of launch vehicle and spacecraft components in Moscow and in other cities of the Russian Federation. For more information, visit www.khrunichev.com.
About Intelsat
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) is the world’s leading provider of satellite services, delivering high performance connectivity solutions for media, fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure, enterprise and government and military applications for more than 50 years. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video and broadband services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and mobile broadband access, with Intelsat, envision your future network, connect using our leading satellite technology and transform your opportunities. EnvisionConnectTransformwith Intelsat. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.
