[Satellite TODAY 07-18-13] Satélites Mexicanos (Satmex) announced it has entered into an agreement with Boeing for the design, construction and delivery of Satmex 9, the latest communications satellite in its fleet. Satmex 9 will be launched from Cape Canaveral, Fla. aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The launch is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2015.

 

     Satmex 9 will carry 48 Ku-band 36 MHz equivalent transponders, capable of serving all of Satmex’s Latin American customers in the video, telecommunications and government sectors.

 

    The procurement of Satmex 9 is part of a global cooperation agreement with Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS), involving the manufacture and delivery of four satellites, and the option for four additional satellites. As previously announced, the Satmex 7 and ABS-3A satellites are currently under construction by Boeing. Both Satmex and ABS will have the ability to convert the optional satellites to firm orders as they may determine in the future.