Satellite : Launches for Canadian Sat TV Service

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Telesat's Nimiq 4 satellite was carried into orbit during a weekend launch mission that took place from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The satellite is leased to Bell TV. The spacecraft will enable the Canadian satellite TV company to expand digital video services, including more HDTV, specialty channels and foreign language programming.

Nimiq 4, which will be located at 82 degrees, is equipped with 32 high-power transponders in Ku-Band and eight in Ka-Band.

Nimiq 4 was launched on a Proton Breeze M rocket. EADS Astrium manufactured the bird and International Launch Services provided mission management of the launch.

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Telesat's Nimiq 4 satellite lifts off from Baikonur. The satellite will enable Bell TV to expand its advanced digital satellite television services across Canada by offering more HDTV, specialty channels and foreign language programming (CNW Group/Telesat Canada)by Staff Writers
Baikonur, Kazakhstan (SPX) Sep 22, 2008

Telesat, the world's fourth largest fixed satellite services operator, has successfully launched its state-of-the-art Nimiq 4 satellite.

Nimiq 4 is fully leased to Bell TV, and will enable Bell TV to expand its advanced digital satellite television services over Canada by offering more HDTV, specialty channels and foreign-language programming.
"Telesat's Nimiq 4 satellite underscores our commitment to bring the most advanced satellite services to consumers across Canada - and all over North America," said Dan Goldberg, President and CEO of Telesat.
"Nimiq 4 will contribute significant revenue and EBITDA to our financial results and build on our longstanding relationship with Bell TV. We greatly value Bell TV's trust in Telesat and look forward to delivering outstanding quality and reliability for their customers over the life of the satellite."
Nimiq 4 was launched on a Proton Breeze M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Republic of Kazakhstan today at 3:48 a.m. local time. The satellite separated from the upper stage of the rocket and its signal was acquired by Telesat's tracking station in Perth, Australia just over nine hours later.
Nimiq 4 was manufactured by EADS Astrium and International Launch Services (ILS) provided mission management of the launch.
Nimiq 4 will enter into commercial service after it has successfully completed orbit raising and comprehensive in-orbit testing. The satellite, which will be located at 82 degrees West, is equipped with 32 active high-power transponders in Ku-band and eight in Ka-band. The spacecraft has a solar array span of 39 meters, an expected 15-year mission life, and a launch mass of approximately 4850 kg.