Intelsat (NYSE: I) has selected SpaceX as the firm's launch partner for their Maxar Technologies-built Intelsat 40e (IS-40e) — the launch is planned for 2022 using SpaceX’s American-built Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

Intelsat 40e is an advanced geostationary satellite that will provide Intelsat’s government and enterprise customers across North and Central America with high-throughput, “coast-to-coast” services. The satellite’s capabilities will support the growing number of customers that depend on Intelsat’s managed services and solutions to easily integrate satellite into their overall networking and communications strategies.

Artistic rendition of the Intelsat 40e satellite.
Image is courtesy of Maxar Technologies.

This is the second launch for Intelsat and SpaceX. In 2017, SpaceX launched Intelsat 35e, a satellite currently providing high-throughput coverage for Intelsat customers in portions of North and South America, Europe and Africa.

Intelsat Chief Services Officer Mike DeMarco said the company is look forward to working with SpaceX to launch Intelsat 40e in 2022. IS-40e will join the Intelsat Epic HTS fleet and integrated IntelsatOne ground network to provide customers with the managed hybrid-connectivity needed in today’s ever-changing world.

SpaceX VP of Commercial Sales, Tom Ochinero, added the firm is honored to work with Intelsat, one of the world’s premier satellite operators, with a flight-proven Falcon 9 selected to deliver Intelsat's next geostationary communications satellite to orbit.