[Satellite TODAY 12-30-10] Satmex has selected International Launch Services (ILS) to launch the Satmex 8 satellite into geostationary transfer orbit on an ILS Proton from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the third quarter of 2012, ILS announced Dec. 29.
    The high-power satellite is currently under construction by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) and will be based on SS/L’s 1300 platform. Satmex 8 will be equipped with 24 C- and 40 Ku-band transponders to replace Satmex 5 at the 116.8 degrees West orbital location.
    Satmex 8 aims to provide FSS service over the continental United States to Argentina as well as the Caribbean, all of Latin America and the major cities of Brazil.
    “Satmex requires a high level of schedule assurance and flexibility, which we believe can be provided at this time by a dedicated launch on ILS Proton,” Satmex CEO Patricio Northland said in a statement.