[Satellite Today – 5-21-08] Sea Launch placed the Galaxy 18 satellite into orbit for Intelsat, the companies announced May 21.
    The satellite, manufactured by Space Systems/Loral, features 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders and will serve programmers, government and corporate broadband customers in the United States.
    “Galaxy 18 will provide our customers valuable 50-state coverage and reach Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico, operating in a powerhouse role, delivering some of the most popular programming to millions of American homes,” Intelsat CEO David McGlade said in a statement. “This is the first of two launches for Intelsat this year, both focused on enhancing our North American Galaxy fleet.”
    This was the third mission for Sea Launch in 2008.