The satellite, called LMI-1, was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. It is planned to begin service in November, following in-orbit checkout operations.

"It is very gratifying to see the successful launch of the LMI-1 satellite for our partners at Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications and Intersputnik," said Peter Kujawski, President, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems.

"LMI-1 is an A2100 hybrid satellite that will provide C- and Ku-band service for television broadcast and communication services," added Kujawski.

"This is an important point in time for Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications and our Intersputnik partners, and we look forward to providing a reliable, high power service to the people in this region," said John V. Sponyoe, co-chairman of Lockheed Martin Intersputnik.

LMI-1 will be located at an orbital location of 75 degrees East. Equipped with 44 high-power C and Ku-band transponders, the satellite will provide high-quality and reliable fixed service telephony and direct broadcast television service.

The satellite will help satisfy the rapidly growing demand of Russian telecommunication and broadcasting companies for satellite capacity. The spacecraft is the first of a potential constellation of state-of-the-art satellites that are to provide connectivity to business and residential customers.

In addition to its Russian coverage, LMI-1 is to deliver telecommunications services in the Commonwealth of Independent States, Eastern and Central Europe, Asia and Africa.

LMI-1 is an A2100 geostationary satellite manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. The satellite was built in the company's commercial satellite manufacturing facility in Sunnyvale, CA.

LMI was established in June 1997 to launch and operate a fleet of modern communications satellites forming a global integrated system for communications and broadcasting services. LMI draws upon the expertise and capabilities of its two parent companies to provide a full range of global satellite telecommunications services.

Intersputnik is an international intergovernmental organization established in 1971 to operate a worldwide commercial satellite-based telecommunications system.

Today, Intersputnik has 23 member nations and provides high-quality international, regional and national communication services in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean regions. Intersputnik's users are state-run and private telecommunications and broadcasting organizations worldwide.

Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin formed in 1998 to provide space-based and terrestrial networks to enterprise and government customers worldwide.

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Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005
The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India.