spacetoday.net: SES switches satellite launch from Proton to Atlas

Posted: Thu, May 13, 2004, 8:38 AM ET (1238 GMT)
Atlas 5 launch of Hellas Sat (ILS)

International Launch Services announced Wednesday that SES Americom has shifted the launch of a communications satellite from a Proton to an Atlas 5. ILS said that SES Americom has decided to move the launch of the AMC-16 satellite from a Proton in early 2005 to an Atlas 5 in the fourth quarter of 2004. The Atlas 5 will fly in the 521 configuration, with a payload fairing five meters across and two strap-on boosters. No reason for the change in launch vehicles and dates was given. ILS offers its customers the ability to switch between the two vehicles based on scheduling and other customer requirements. The announcement was effectively the second commercial Atlas 5 order in as many days: on Tuesday Intelsat announced that it would buy an Atlas 5 launch for a future satellite.