Intelsat expects to launch 11 satellites between now and the end of 2012, five of which will provide new or replacement capacity in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific build includes the acceleration of replacement satellites for two core roles and one new satellite that increases capacity for media and networking customers and addresses defense-related opportunities in the region.

Intelsat 17 satellite, to be located at 66º E, will provide higher-performing capacity across Europe, the Middle East, Russia and Asia, as well as expand Intelsat’s C-band video distribution community in the Indian Ocean region. Intelsat 17 will replace Intelsat 702, launched in June 1994.

Intelsat 18 satellite, to be located at 180º E, will provide continuity and enhanced performance in C- and Ku-band for network, voice and video services to the Pacific Islands and offer connectivity to the Western United States. Intelsat 18 satellite will replace Intelsat 701, which was launched in October 1993.

Intelsat 19 , to be located at 166º E, will feature increased Ku-band capacity optimized for Direct-to-Home (DTH) and network services applications in Australia. The satellite’s C-band capacity will provide enhanced performance capacity for distribution of international video  content throughout Asia-Pacific with coverage to the Western United States.

The Ku-band payload will also support demand for mobility and enterprise network applications across the region. Intelsat 19 will replace  Intelsat 8, which was launched in November 1998.

Intelsat 20 will replace Intelsat 7 and Intelsat 10 satellites, which are co-located at 68.5º E today, one of the most successful cable distribution neighborhoods serving the Asia-Pacific region.

This satellite will provide regional and international programmers with ideal C-band penetration of the South Asian cable communities. Intelsat 7 was launched in September 1998, and Intelsat 10 was launched in May 2001.

Intelsat 20 satellite also will carry a Ku band payload, which will provide services into Asia, Africa and the Middle East for enterprise networks and DTH services.

Intelsat intends to increase its C- and Ku-band capacity in the region with the launch of the Intelsat 22 satellite, to be located at 72º E, addressing the growing opportunities for enterprise networks, mobility and defense-related applications.

In addition to the fleet program, Intelsat continues to invest in its ground network infrastructure, expanding customer access to Intelsat’s Asia-Pacific assets.

An upgrade is scheduled at Intelsat’s Paumalu Teleport in Hawaii, providing improved fiber diversity and upgraded antenna facilities to expand accessibility and redundancy on Intelsat’s Pacific Ocean satellites, enhancing services for media customers.

Source: Intelsat

As part of the “hosted payload” contract valued at US$167 million, Intelsat will arrange the construction and integration of the UHF payload with the satellite. Under the agreement, Intelsat is expected to operate the ADF payload and provide related services for 15 years after the launch.

Intelsat 22 will be positioned at 72 degree east longitude providing a footprint described as being “well suited to the communications needs  of the Australian military”.

The satellite will be built by Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems and will be based on the Boeing 702B bus and will have 48 C band and 24 Ku band equivalent transponders, and a UHF payload of eighteen 25 KHz channels.

The UHF band is widely deployed for military satellite communications because of its adaptability to small mobile terminals used by ground, sea and air forces. The ADF is purchasing part of the UHF payload and has the option to purchase the remainder.

”We are honoured that the Commonwealth of Australia chose Intelsat as its partner for this creative program” said David McGlade, CEO of Intelsat. “This contract represents a milestone in the development of hosted payloads to support long-term government needs. As this ADF program demonstrates, every commercial satellite going into orbit creates opportunities for governments to deploy mission critical capabilities, with significant cost benefits and quicker time to in-orbit operations”.

The ADF selected Intelsat to provide the satellite payload following a process of competitive source selection that began in August 2008.