[Satellite TODAY 11-22-11] Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. (AsiaSat) has confirmed a launch date for its new AsiaSat 7 communications satellite.

   The operator announced Nov. 21 that the satellite would be launched Nov. 26 from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on an International Launch Services (ILS) Proton Breeze M launch vehicle.

   Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) built AsiaSat 7 based on its 1300 platform. The satellite will replace AsiaSat 3S currently located at the 105.5 degrees East orbital slot and expected to retire from service in 2014. AsiaSat 7 was designed to carry 28 C-band and 17 Ku-band transponders, and a Ka-band payload to support television broadcast and VSAT networks operating in the Asia-Pacific region.

   “The launch of AsiaSat 7, well ahead of the planned date for AsiaSat 3S’s replacement, is a testament to AsiaSat’s continued commitment to quality, reliability and uninterrupted services,” AsiaSat said in a company statement.