An ILS Proton rocket. Photo: ILS

[Via Satellite 01-14-2014] International Launch Services (ILS) has received the first of two launch assignments for Intelsat slated for 2015.

The satellite, Intelsat DLA-2, also known as Intelsat 31, will be launched by an ILS Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, using the vehicle’s phase four performance capability. The satellite is currently under construction by SSL. The 6 metric ton satellite will provide in orbit protection services for the DirecTV Latin America Direct-to-Home (DTH) television platform. This will be the eleventh ILS Proton launch for Intelsat and the fifth mission to support DirecTV.

The second Intelsat satellite launch assignment awarded to ILS will be announced in the future.