ILS readies SES-4 launch
December 22, 2011
By Chris Forrester
SES-4 is due to be launched into orbit by International Launch Services aboard a giant Proton-M rocket just a few days after Christmas on December 27.
The satellite is a genuine giant, and will be the biggest in the SES fleet. Built by Space Systems/Loral, it will lift-off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and is to be orbited to the 22 deg West (338 deg East of London) position over the Atlantic Ocean.
SES-4 is a hybrid satellite featuring high powered C-band coverage and incremental global capacity which is ideal for video distribution, government and VSAT services. The satellite’s Ku-band payload will provide enhanced coverage and capacity across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Western Africa and Latin America. Four high powered regional Ku-band beams will provide service to Europe, the Middle East, West Africa, North America and South America with extensive cross-strapping between C- and Ku-band transponders providing enhanced connectivity.