Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has shipped the IndoStar II/ProtoStar II satellite from the company's satellite manufacturing facility in El Segundo, California, to the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch facility in Kazakhstan. Upon arrival, the spacecraft will undergo final preparations for launch this May aboard an International Launch Services Proton/Breeze M rocket.

The 601HP (high power) spacecraft will provide high-speed, two-way communications for ProtoStar Ltd.'s Internet, data, voice, video and multimedia services across Indonesia, India, the Philippines and Taiwan. The Boeing 601 spacecraft is the world's best-selling mid-sized communications satellite.

"This satellite paves the way for ProtoStar to significantly expand direct-to-home satellite television and telecommunication services across the Asia-Pacific region," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "Boeing is committed to meeting our customer's expectations for operational reliability and total mission success."

IndoStar II/ProtoStar II will replace Indonesia's Indostar-I satellite. The satellite's 32 transponders include 10 active and three spare S-band traveling wave tube amplifiers that will provide direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting services by PT MNC Skyvision in Indonesia. IndoStar II/ProtoStar II's Ku-band payload has been designed to provide DTH and other telecommunications services across India. A second Ku-band payload can be switched between the Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia to provide broadband Internet access and other telecommunication services.