Space Systems/Loral reports that the AsiaSat 7 satellite, designed and built for Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), is performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan.

The satellite was successfully launched on Friday from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan aboard an ILS Proton Breeze M vehicle provided by International Launch Services (ILS).

The satellite deployed its solar arrays according to schedule following Friday's launch and it has begun firing its main thruster to complete its journey to geostationary orbit.

"We are very pleased to see AsiaSat 7 successfully launched ahead of schedule," said William Wade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat.

"This is the second SS/L-built satellite in our fleet. We have a very successful collaborative relationship with Space Systems/Loral and just announced the contract awards for two more satellites earlier this month."

AsiaSat 7 is a Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) spacecraft designed to replace AsiaSat 3S at the orbital location of 105.5 degrees East longitude where it will provide television broadcast and VSAT networks across the Asia-Pacific region.

"Both AsiaSat and Space Systems/Loral share a dedication to providing the highest quality of communications services to people throughout the world," said John Celli, President of Space Systems/Loral.

"I would like to thank everyone at AsiaSat, ILS, and Space Systems/Loral whose hard work has led to this successful launch."

AsiaSat 7 carries a region-wide C-band beam covering Asia, the Middle East, Australasia and Central Asia, and Ku-band beams for East Asia, South Asia and a steerable Ku-beam in addition to a Ka-band payload.

It is based on SS/L's highly reliable 1300 space-proven platform which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances.

The spacecraft is designed to deliver service for 15 years or more. With this launch, there are 67 SS/L-built 1300 satellites currently on orbit.