[Satellite TODAY 04-20-12] The Intelsat 19 satellite has arrived at Sea Launch’s homeport in Long Beach, Calif., where it will prepare to be launched aboard a Zenit-3SL rocket from Sea Launch’s equatorial launch site, Odyssey, the satellite’s manufacturer Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) announced April 19. 

            SS/L said the satellite arrived ahead of FSS operator Intelsat’s schedule.

            Intelsat 19 will replace Intelsat 8, with a mission to provide commercial satellite services to high-growth regions around the Pacific Rim from its orbital location at 166 degrees East. The satellite features beams that will contribute to Intelsat’s global mobility network when it is completed in early 2013.

The operator will use the network to offer continuous worldwide broadband coverage on a single fleet to maritime and aeronautical customers.

            “We are very pleased to deliver the 46th SS/L-built satellite for Intelsat,” SS/L President John Celli said in a statement. “As industry leaders, both of our companies are committed to the highest quality service and a focus on helping broaden the world’s ability to share information and communicate.”