Preparations are underway at the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan for the launch of the Telstar 11N communications satellite on February 26 at 10:30 am Pacific Time (18:30 GMT), in a two-hour launch window.

From the Land Launch pad at Area 45, a Zenit-3SLB vehicle will lift the 4,012 kg (8,845 lb) Telstar 11N spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital position at 37.5 degrees West Longitude. Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) built Telstar 11N for Telesat, one of the world's leading fixed satellite services operators. For launch coverage and additional information about this mission, please go to our mission page at: http://www.sea-launch.com/land-launch/current_land_launch.htm

With 39 high-powered Ku-band transponders, Telstar 11N will use SS/L’s proven 1300 platform to provide state-of-the-art satellite capacity for a broad range of video and data applications. The spacecraft’s position over the Atlantic Ocean will enable it to connect three continents: North America, Europe and Africa. Telstar 11N also has a unique Atlantic Ocean beam that will serve growing demand for mobile broadband from maritime and aeronautical markets.

Based on a collaboration of the Sea Launch Company and Space International Services (SIS), of Moscow, the Land Launch system is designed to meet the launch needs of an emerging market for dedicated commercial launches in the medium spacecraft mass range. Sea Launch and SIS provide customers with mission management and SIS is also responsible for hardware production and launch operations.