Boeing Hands Over IndoStar II/ProtoStar II Satellite Following Successful In-Orbit Tests
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., June 16, 2009 – The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced the successful in-orbit handover of the IndoStar II/ProtoStar II commercial communications satellite to Bermuda-based ProtoStar Ltd. Following successful in-orbit tests and confirmed readiness to enter service, the Boeing-built 601HP satellite will now begin providing direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting and telecommunications services to the Asia-Pacific region.
"The performance of the IndoStar II/ProtoStar II spacecraft has been excellent throughout the in-orbit testing period," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "We are very pleased to transfer control to ProtoStar. Congratulations to ProtoStar and the entire Boeing team for this significant milestone and another satellite mission flawlessly executed."
An International Launch Services Proton Breeze M rocket launched IndoStar II/ProtoStar II on May 16 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Positioned 22,300 miles above the Earth, the IndoStar II/ProtoStar II satellite will provide simultaneous operation of 32 transponders that deliver high-powered S- and Ku-band communications to consumer and small-to-medium-sized business markets throughout Indonesia, India, the Philippines and Taiwan.
Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems built the IndoStar II/ProtoStar II satellite at its Satellite Development Center in El Segundo and operated the spacecraft during postlaunch satellite system deployments and in-orbit testing from the company's new, state-of-the-art Mission Control Center. From satellite design and manufacturing to delivery and operation, Boeing provides a vital communications link to customers around the world.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.
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Contact:
Angie Chen
Space & Intelligence Systems
310-364-6708
angie.e.chen@boeing.com
Diana Ball
Space & Intelligence Systems
562-797-4303
diana.ball@boeing.com