Proton To Boost AsiaSat 5 This Summer
Feb 26, 2009
| By Michael Mecham |
 An International Launch Services Proton will boost AsiaSat 5 into orbit from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan this summer, the companies announced. The satellite is under construction by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) in Palo Alto, Calif., based on the company's 1300 series spacecraft bus. It is to replace AsiaSat-2 at 105-deg. East and offer C- and Ku-band footprints over East Asia and South Asia and an in-orbit maneuverable Ku-beam. AsiaSat CEO Peter Jackson said a change in launch plans by another, unidentified customer allowed AsiaSat to gain access to the Proton and slip onto the manifest for a third-quarter launch. SS/L is expected to ship the satellite to Baikonur early this summer. Artist's concept of AsiaSat 5: Space Systems/Loral |
