[2/23/07] Arianespace will launch the AMC-21 satellite for SES Americom in the 2008 second quarter aboard an Ariane 5 rocket, the companies announced Feb. 21. The satellite previously had been scheduled to be placed into orbit by Sea Launch’s planned Land Launch rocket.

AMC-21 is being manufactured by Alcatel Alenia Space and is based on an Orbital Sciences Corp. Star-2 platform. AMC-21 will carry 24 Ku-band transponders and provide coverage of the United States and the Caribbean.

“We appreciate that Arianespace has incorporated AMC-21 into their first half 2008 manifest, as there is a high degree of demand for Ku-band capability in North America,” Ed Horowitz, president and CEO of SES Americom, said in a statement. “AMC-21 is an important component in our spectrum of service offerings. It is designed to meet the growth demands of our media, enterprise and new services customers.”