[Satellite TODAY 12-27-11] International Launch Services (ILS) has informed operator SES that the launch of its SES-4 satellite will be postponed for approximately 25 days due to technical reasons with the avionics system of the Proton launch vehicle’s Breeze M upper stage, ILS announced Dec. 27.

   Khrunichev engineers called the delay at the launch site after they received an anomalous telemetry reading on the Breeze M upper stage during preflight testing. ILS said the additional time is needed due to the de-stacking and replacement of the affected avionics unit.

   SES-4 was built by Space Systems/Loral and designed as a 20-kilowatt satellite with 52 C-band and 72 Ku-band transponders. Its C-band beams aim to provide coverage over the eastern hemisphere of Europe and Africa, with full coverage of the Americas and a global beam to support mobile and maritime customers. The satellite’s four regional Ku-band beams will provide service to Europe, the Middle East, West Africa as well as North and South America with extensive channel switching capability between C- and Ku-band transponders for enhanced connectivity.