Orbital Sciences Corporation announced in April 2005 that it has signed a new
geosynchronous (GEO) communications satellite contract with PanAmSat Corporation.
PanAmSat's new spacecraft will provide C- and Ku-band fixed telecommunications and
direct-to-home television broadcasting services from a mid-Atlantic orbital location. The
new satellite is the fourth one PanAmSat has purchased from Orbital since 2001 and is
based on the company's Star-2 platform.
PanAmSat previously purchased three C-band satellites for U.S. domestic communications
services from Orbital.
The new satellite, to be called PAS-11, will carry up to 18 active Ku-band transponders
and 16 active C-band transponders. The satellite will generate approximately 4.5 kilowatts
of electrical power and will weigh approximately 2,500 kg at launch. Delivery of the
satellite is scheduled in the first quarter of 2007. The contract includes options for two
additional spacecraft, each of which would generate approximately 4.7 kilowatts of power
and would be delivered about 24 months after exercise of the contract options. Financial
details of the contract were not released.
Intelsat changed the name of the satellite to Intelsat 11 (IS 11) effective to 1. February
2007.
Intelsat 11 was booked as the payload on the maiden Land Launch Zenit-3SLB launch, but was rebooked in March 2007
on an Ariane launch vehicle.
In early 2006 PanAmSat ordered long lead items for a back-up satellite for PAS-11,
which was called PAS-11R. In May 2007, Intelsat confirmed the contract for the satellite
to be completed in 2008. PAS 11R is now named Intelsat 16.
