[Satellite TODAY 12-17-10] SES received a $171.5 million loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank to build and insure the QuetzSat telecommunications satellite, according to documents the operator released Dec. 14.
    The loan supports the construction contract SES issued Space Systems/Loral in February 2009. The satellite is scheduled to launch in 2011 on a Proton M rocket from Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome. The spacecraft will be placed at the 77 degrees West orbital slot secured from the Mexican government.
    EchoStar will use QuetzSat capacity to support EchoStar’s Dish Mexico service. EchoStar leased all 32 Ku-band transponders on QuetzSat from SES for 15 years.