International Launch Services (ILS) said the window for its May 21 launch of the DirecTV 8 satellite from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan will open at 1:59 p.m. EDT. The satellite will be delivered to orbit on a Proton M/Breeze M rocket.

Space System/Loral built the DirecTV 8 satellite based on its 1300 platform for DirecTV Inc. The spacecraft, which will reside at 101 degrees West, carries 16 Ku- band transponders and a Ka-band payload to link broadcast facilities. It will be used to support the expansion of new digital and high-definition services. The satellite has an expected service life of 12 years.

The launch will be the fourth ILS mission and the second Proton mission this year. A live Webcast and general mission information will be available on the ILS Web site at http://www.ilslaunch.com.