[4/27/07] International Launch Services (ILS) received a contract from Telesat Canada to place the Nimiq 5 satellite into orbit, ILS announced April 26. The mission, using a Proton Breeze M rocket, is scheduled for 2009 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Nimiq 5, which is being manufactured by Space Systems/Loral, will operate at 72.7° West to provide high-definition and specialty direct-to-home television services. Financial terms were not disclosed.