International Launch Services said today that it has successfully launched the Lockheed Martin-built AMC-16 satellite for SES Americom. The satellite was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 7:07 a.m. EST on an Atlas 5 rocket. It was the fourth consecutive successful commercial launch for the Atlas 5.

ILS said the hybrid Ka- and Ku-band satellite separated from the rocket and was placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit 109 minutes after launch. The satellite will ultimately come to rest at 85 degrees W and will provide coverage over all 50 United States.

AMC-16 joins its twin, AMC-15, as a part of the Americom2Home satellite family. It will provide services to EchoStar Communication Corp.’s Dish Network direct-to-home satellite television service. The satellite features 24, 36 MHz Ku-band transponders and 12, 125 MHz Ka-band spotbeams. It is expected to be ready for service in about eight weeks.