International Launch Services (ILS) announced last week that it has received more than $1 billion in new launch orders through July 2000.

The new business includes 13 firm launch orders with 17 options for the company’s fleet of Proton, Proton M, Atlas 2AS, Atlas 3 and Atlas 5 launch vehicles.

“The significant amount of new business that we have obtained this year is a result of ILS’s ability to focus on our customers and to be responsive to their needs with innovative product offerings and competitive terms,” said Mark Albrecht, ILS president. “The result is that we are more closely aligned with our customers’ business objectives and they have responded with confidence and trust in our products and services.”

The new business includes customers such as Astrolink, Teledesic/ICO and GE Americom [GE]. ILS said its overall backlog is currently worth more than $3 billion.

The increase in business for the launcher provider could not have come at a better time. Moving forward after a year of launch failures that chilled satellite and space executives from ordering vehicles to transport their expensive payloads to space.

ILS rose above the industry with a successful string of Proton launches and the introduction of the Atlas 3. This year, the Proton has launched eight missions successfully– four in 19 days alone.

Likewise, ILS ushered in its Atlas 3 launcher with its new Russian-built RD-180 engine. ILS spokeswoman Michelle Lyle told SPACE BUSINESS NEWS that the company has received six new orders for its advanced Atlas launchers. “In addition, we have received two Atlas 2 and five Proton orders,” Lyle added.

ILS is owned by a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT], Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, and the Lockheed Khrunichev Energia International joint venture.

Characteristics of the Proton K

Total Liftoff Mass: 691,272 kg (1,523,565 lbs.)

Total length: 57.2 m (187.6 ft) with standard commercial 4.35 m diameter fairing.

Characteristics of the Atlas 3A

Total Liftoff Mass: 218,450 kg (481,600 lbs.)

Total Length: 528m (173.2 ft) with extended length large payload fairing.