Telesat Successfully Launches Nimiq 6 Satellite

Friday, May 18th, 2012
Bell TV logo

New direct broadcast satellite is fully contracted to Telesat’s longstanding customer, Bell TV, for 15 years

BAIKONUR Space Center, Kazakhstan — Telesat, a leading global fixed satellite services operator, has successfully launched its Nimiq 6 direct broadcast satellite. Nimiq 6 will be located at 91.1 degrees West providing a broad range of video services across Canada.

The newest addition to Telesat’s global fleet, Nimiq 6 carries 32 high powered Ku-band transponders that are fully contracted to Bell TV (TSX, NYSE: BCE) for 15 years. Bell TV is Canada’s largest provider of satellite direct-to-home television services.

“The state-of-the-art capabilities of Nimiq 6 reflect Telesat’s commitment to bring the most advanced satellite services to our customers,” said Dan Goldberg, President and CEO of Telesat. “Nimiq 6 will contribute to Telesat’s revenue and EBITDA in 2012 and for years to come. We look forward to delivering outstanding quality and reliability to Bell TV over the life of Nimiq 6.”

Nimiq 6 was launched on a Proton Breeze M rocket from the Baikonur Space Center in the Republic of Kazakhstan today at 1:12 a.m. local time. The satellite separated from the upper stage of the rocket and its signal was acquired by Telesat’s tracking station in Gnangara, Australia (near Perth) shortly after spacecraft separation, about nine hours after liftoff.

The Proton Breeze M was built by Russia’s Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and International Launch Services provided mission management.

Nimiq 6 was manufactured by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) and is based on SS/L’s highly reliable 1300 platform. The satellite has a mass of approximately 4500 kg and an expected 15 year mission life. Nimiq 6 will enter into commercial service after it has successfully completed orbit raising and comprehensive in-orbit testing.