Nimiq 2 Launched

The Nimiq 2 telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) for Telesat Canada, was successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Lift-off occurred Dec. 29 aboard a Proton M/Breeze M booster provided by International Launch Services. Initial contact with the satellite was confirmed at Lockheed Martin satellite tracking station in Uralla, Australia, shortly after separation.

Nimiq 2, a high power Ku-band satellite, will provide direct broadcast services across Canada from its final orbital location at 91 degrees West longitude. The spacecraft features 32 active 24 MHz Ku-band transponders with 120 watt power amplifiers, and also has a Ka-band payload. Nimiq 2 is an A2100AX satellite with a minimum service life of 12 years.