Intersputnik satellite arrives for Proton launch later this month

Published: 9/6/1999

The first Lockheed Martin Intersputnik (LMI) satellite has arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch site in Kazakhstan, where it will be readied for launch later this month on an International Launch Services-supplied Proton launch vehicle. The satellite, called LMI-1, is an A2100 geostationary satellite, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. LMI-1 will operate at an orbital location of 75 degrees east. Equipped with 44 high-power C and Ku-band transponders, the satellite will provide fixed service telephony and direct broadcast television services. The spacecraft is the first of several planned satellites that are to provide connectivity to business and residential customers. In addition to its Russian coverage, LMI-1 is scheduled to deliver telecommunications services from November 1999 to the CIS, Eastern and Central Europe, Asia and Africa, following in-orbit checkout operations. Lockheed Martin Intersputnik (LMI) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications and the Intersputnik International Organisation of Space Communications.

Article ID: 836