Intelsat 19 is the 46th satellite that Space Systems/Loral will provide to Intelsat, the leading provider of Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) worldwide. Intelsat 19 will replace the Intelsat 8 satellite at 166 degrees East longitude. The satellite’s C-band capacity will provide enhanced distribution of content throughout Asia-Pacific with reach to the Western United States. The increased Ku-band capacity, optimized to distribute services to Australia, will also support demand for mobility and enterprise network applications across the Asia-Pacific region. Intelsat 19 is scheduled for launch in 2012.

[SatNews] Temperatures are high and so are the hopes of those in attendance at the equator for the...

Sea Launch and Energia Logistics teams have initiated the automated L-72 hour launch countdown sequence at its equatorial launch site on May 28th, in preparation for the launch of the Intelsat-19 communications satellite. Liftoff is planned at the opening of a 120-minute window, beginning at 22:23 Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on Thursday, May 31st (05:23 UTC/GMT, Friday, June 1st).

Launch operations are now underway at the Equator, at 154 degrees West longitude. The Sea Launch Commander is positioned alongside the Launch Platform Odyssey, with the two vessels periodically connected by a link bridge that facilitates foot traffic between the vessels. A day before liftoff, the Zenit-3SL rocket will be erected on the launch pad for final tests of the launch system and spacecraft, prior to start of the terminal countdown.

During final preparations for liftoff, the platform will be evacuated, with all personnel positioned on the ship, three miles up range from the platform. At launch, the rocket will lift the 5,600 kilograms (12,345 lbs.) spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital location.

Intelsat 19 will be located at 166° East longitude as part of Intelsat’s on-going fleet investment program. It replaces Intelsat 8, a leading video neighborhood providing distribution to cable head ends across the Asia-Pacific region and reaching more than 37 million pay-tv subscribers around the Pacific Rim.

Sea Launch will carry live coverage of this mission for Intelsat via satellite and also streaming video on the Sea Launch website, beginning 15 minutes before scheduled launch. The webcast may be viewed at.