Posted: Fri, Feb 11, 2005, 6:28 AM ET (1128 GMT)
International Launch Services announced Thursday that it had received a contract from Eutelsat for the launch of an unspecified future satellite. The contract covers the launch of a satellite on a Russian Proton M in the first quarter of 2006. The identity of the satellite wasn't named, and ILS said the contract was signed in "the framework of Eutelsat's strategy of contracting with different suppliers of satellites and launch services in order to ensure timely delivery of replacement capacity." Space News reported in its print edition this week that Eutelsat planned to move the launch of its Hot Bird 8 satellite from an Ariane 5 to a Proton.

Related Links:

•  ILS press release