MUMBAI: Asian satelite service provider Asiasat and International Launch Services (ILS) have announced a contract for the launch of AsiaSat 7 satellite on an ILS Proton.

The satellite is under construction by Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California. ILS and Khrunichev are implementing a mission integration schedule to support a 2011 launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
  
Asiasat 7 is configured as a replacement satellite for Asiasat 3S, one of AsiaSat‘s flagship satellites, operating at the orbital location of 105.5°E.

Asiasat 7 is a Space Systems/Loral 1300 platform, with C and Ku-band transponders, designed for a lifespan of 15 years. The projected orbital maneuvering lifetime of the satellite is expected to improve due to the performance of the ILS Proton launch vehicle.   
 
ILS president Frank McKenna said, “A little over a year ago, we contracted, integrated and launched the AsiaSat 5 satellite within a 6 month timeframe, providing unmatched flexibility for our longtime customer, Asiasat. We are very honoured to play a key role in Asiasat’s replacement strategic plan with the launch of Asiasat 7.”

Asiasat CEO William Wade says, “With this launch opportunity on the ILS Proton, we are continuing our replacement strategy to provide continuity of services to our current and potential new customers across Asia, Middle East, CIS and Australasia. We know that we can count on the professionalism of ILS and Khrunichev for a successful launch for Asiasat 7”.