Intelsat Launches Galaxy 19 Satellite

At 5:28 a.m. EDT, Intelsat launched the Galaxy 19 satellite aboard a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket. The satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral, will operate from 97′ west, replacing the Galaxy 25 spacecraft. Galaxy 19 will provide valuable 50-state coverage, as well as the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico, to video, government, and network customers.
Galaxy 19 will join Intelsat’s coveted North American Galaxy fleet comprising 16 other satellites that cover North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
“Once operational, Galaxy 19 will host the largest international video programming platform in North America, providing distribution of news and entertainment to our customers who serve the ethnically diverse audience of this region. Likewise, Galaxy 19 will offer our government and network customers refreshed capacity, with seamless data communications for years to come,” says David McGlade, Intelsat CEO. “This was our last launch of 2008, completely refreshing the capacity of Intelsat’s North American Galaxy Fleet.”
This is Intelsat’s eighth launch with Sea Launch and the 43rd satellite constructed by Space Systems/Loral to enter its in-orbit fleet. Intelsat’s next launch is slated for early next year.