New Skies Satellites N.V. [NSK], a global satellite operator based in the Hague, the Netherlands, plans to change the orbital assignment for its yet-to-be launched NSS-8 satellite.

The spacecraft originally was scheduled to be launched to 105 degrees West longitude to serve the Americas, but will be deployed at the 57 degrees East slot to expand capacity in the Indian Ocean region, where demand is rising and where New Skies’ NSS-703 satellite is already operating, company officials said. The NSS-8 is expected to commence commercial service by January 2005.