Proton Launch Completes Inmarsat I-4 Constellation

[Satellite Today 08-19-08] The third of Inmarsat’s I-4 satellites was placed into orbit Aug. 19 by a commercial Proton launch, Inmarsat and International Launch Services announced.
    The Proton Breeze M vehicle, built by Khrunichev Space Center, lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome at 4:43 a.m. local time (6:43 EDT) and released the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit nine hours later.
    Inmarsat-4 F3, built by EADS Astrium, will deliver mobile broadband services over the United States. The launch completes a $1.5 billion program by Inmarsat to boost its service offerings and provide Broadband Global Area Network coverage around the globe.