International Launch Services postponed its launch of the AsiaSat 4 satellite aboard an Atlas III rocket until today at 8:08 p.m. (EDT) because of high winds. ILS had scheduled the launch for Thursday at 8:09 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

The AsiaSat 4, a 8,911-pound Boeing 601HP satellite, is scheduled to be delivered into geostationary orbit at 122 degrees East longitude. Asia Satellite Telecommunications will use the satellite, with its 28 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders, to provide satellite services across Asia and Australia, including direct-to-home TV and broadband services.

Separately, ILS announced that it had signed a contract with Eutelsat to launch the W3A satellite on a Proton rocket. The W3A launch is planned for late 2003 using the Proton M/Breeze M configuration. The satellite is an Astrium Eurostar 3000 model, similar to several already scheduled for launch on Proton vehicles.