International Launch Services (ILS) has announced a multi-launch agreement with Intelsat. The new contract will see five new launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan before 2023.
The five, as yet undesignated, satellites will be launched using the Proton Breeze M launch vehicle, manufactured by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center (Khrunichev), the majority owner of ILS. Proton has launched 407 missions since its maiden flight in 1965. Under the auspices of ILS, there have been 91 ILS Proton missions launched for global commercial satellite operators.
Kirk Pysher, President of ILS said, “Intelsat and ILS have a long-standing partnership beginning with our first Intelsat launch over 18 years ago. Since that inaugural launch, Proton has successfully delivered 11 Intelsat satellites to orbit. With this Multi-Launch Agreement, we look forward to providing Intelsat with a flexible and reliable solution for expansion of their global fleet. We thank Intelsat for their continued trust and confidence in ILS, Khrunichev and the Proton Breeze M launch vehicle.”
“Given the size of Intelsat’s global fleet, we need assured and timely access to space, with launch providers that are committed partners with the ability to meet our high quality standards and schedule requirements,” said Thierry Guillemin, Executive Vice President, and Chief Technology Officer of Intelsat. “To that end, launch diversity is essential to the success of our sector. ILS and Khrunichev have committed to a path that will return them to the highest quality standards. Our agreement with ILS, which covers a span of seven years, will support our goal of improved access to space.”