SES has announced that the QuetzSat-1 satellite will be launched into space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on board an ILS Proton Breeze M rocket at 00:32 local time on September 30, 2011 (September 29, 2011 at 20:32 CET).
The QuetzSat-1 spacecraft, manufactured by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), is an all Ku-band (32 transponder) high-powered (20-kilowatt) communications satellite with coverage of Mexico, US and Central America. To be positioned at 77 degrees West, QuetzSat-1 is fully contracted to a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation and will be used in part by DISH Mexico, an EchoStar joint venture, for Direct-To-Home (DTH) services in Mexico and for DISH Network in the US.
In North America, DISH Network subscribers can tune into the live broadcast of the launch by selecting DISH Network’s Channel 101. The video transmission will also be available on AMC-3 at 87 degrees West, C4, downlink frequency 3780.0 MHz, vertical polarization, service ID 136201.
In Europe, the video broadcast of the launch is available via 19.2 degrees East, transponder 1.037, downlink frequency 11023.25 MHz, horizontal polarisation, symbol rate 22.0 MSym/s, FEC 5/6, service ID 5232, service name QuetzSat-1 Launch.
