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ILS successfully launches Protostar II satellite

Indiantelevision.com Team

(21 May 2009 8:40 pm)

MUMBAI: International Launch Services (ILS) has successfully carried the Indostar II/Protostar II satellite into orbit, marking the second commercial mission of the year for ILS and the fourth successful Proton launch of 2009.

The ILS Proton Breeze M launched from Pad 39 at the cosmodrome at 6:57 am today local time (8:57 pm EDT, 00:57 GMT).

The 16 May launch comes on the heels of the milestone 50th ILS Proton launch on 3 April. The satellite was launched for Protostar LTD of Bermuda and will be commercially operated for Indovision of Jakarta, Indonesia, the largest Direct-to- Home operator, in Indonesia.

After a 9 hour 15 minute mission, the Breeze M successfully released the satellite into the planned geo-transfer orbit. This was the 345th launch for the Proton. The Proton Breeze M vehicle is developed and built by Khrunichev Research and Production Space Center of Moscow, Russia's premier space manufacturer.

The Indostar II/Protostar II satellite replaces the existing Chakarawarta 1 and will bring high power S-band and Ku-band capacity over Indonesia with expanded service to India, the Philippines and Taiwan.

The satellite's S-band transponders will support DTH TV and radio services for Indovision. The satellite will also offer HDTV multimedia and broadband services throughout the Asean region.

"As a new customer, we are thrilled to support the continued expansion of Protostar's business with an ILS Proton launch," said ILS President Frank McKenna.

"Our focus on the time critical needs of Indovision was the driver to providing continuous DTH and Radio services to the entire region. We were pleased to offer the same outstanding service, quality and reliability that ILS Proton stands for and delivers," he quiped.

"This successful launch of the Indostar II/Protostar II satellite enables us to optimise our robust direct-to-home services in ASEAN with the most powerful satellite to join the Protostar fleet. It also demonstrates our commitment to enhancing the next generation of television services across Asia through a multi-satellite constellation," Many thanks to ILS for their dedication and support throughout the entire mission and for a job well done." McKenna added.