[Satellite Today – 2-28-08] Sea Launch signed an agreement to launch two communications satellites being built by Orbital Sciences using the Land Launch system, Sea Launch announced Feb. 26.
    Intelsat 15 will replace Intelsat 709 at 85°East and use its Ku-band payload to provide video and data services for the Middle East, Indian Ocean regions and Russia. Intelsat-16 will carry 24 Ku-band transponders and provide direct-to-home capacity for over Brazil for Sky Brasil from 43.1° West or capacity over Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico from 58° West.
    These two missions are scheduled for 2009 and will fill manifest slots that opened up when Intelsat shifted the launch of the Intelsat-11 and Horizons-2 satellites from Land Launch to Arianespace following the January 2007 Sea Launch failure.