As Satellite News was going to print on Dec. 17, International Launch Services said that it had successfully launched the AMC-16 satellite into orbit for SES Americom.

The satellite, launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, left the launch pad at 7:07 a.m. EST on an Atlas 5 launcher. It was the tenth and final mission for ILS this year and it brought the number of consecutive successful launches to 74.

The satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, will be used by EchoStar Communications Corp. to enhance that company’s Dish Network direct-to-home satellite television service. The satellite will operate from its final orbital position at 85 degrees W.