Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) built the Telstar 11N spacecraft for Telesat, one of the world's leading fixed satellite services operators, to provide high powered, state-of-the-art satellite capacity for a broad range of video and data applications. With 39 high-power Ku-band transponders, Telstar 11N, weighing 4,012 kg (8,845 lb), is based on the SS/L 1300 platform which provides flexibility for a broad range of applications. The spacecraft also has a unique Atlantic Ocean beam, which will support growing demand for mobile broadband from maritime and aeronautical markets. Following launch an on-orbit testing, Telstar 11N began operating from 37.5 degrees West Longitude, connecting the continents of North America, Europe and Africa.

For information about Telesat, please go to: www.telesat.com
For information about Space Systems/Loral, please go to: www.loral.com/business-units/ssloral

A Zenit-3SLB lifted off from the launch site at the Baikonur Space Center at 18:30:00 GMT. Following a successful 1st stage operation and separation, the payload fairing jettisoned. With the completion of the 2nd stage operation and its separation, the Block DM-SLB upper stage performed its first burn. At 18:42:17 GMT, the Block DM-SLB upper stage began its first coast period with the Telstar 11N satellite. At 19:48:22 GMT, the 2nd burn of the upper stage began and was successfully completed. The upper stage coasted with the Telstar 11N satellite for a five-hour period and then ignited briefly for its 3rd and final burn of this mission. Following another 10-minute coast, the spacecraft separated from the upper stage at 00:25:41 GMT (February 27). Shortly after spacecraft separation, the Gnangara ground station near Perth, Australia, acquired the first signals from the satellite in orbit.

January 12 - An Antonov 124 cargo plane delivers the Telstar 11N satellite to the Baikonur Space Center, where it is transferred to Area 31 for testing, fueling and encapsulation in a payload fairing, in preparation for integration with a Zenit-3SLB rocket. Please visit this site for arrival coverage: http://www.roscosmos.ru/NewsDoSele.asp?NEWSID=5159

January 16 - A Zenit-2SB rocket manufactured by Ukranian Yuzhnoye Machine Building Plant arrives at the Baikonur Space Center. After the customs clearance, the launcher is stored until the Yuzhnoye test teams arrive.

February 4 - Pre-launch activities with the Zenit-2SLB, DM-SLB upper stage and  the Telstar 11N satellite continue. The satellite is transported to the filling station for propellant loading. In parallel, experts of the Transport Machine-Building Design Bureau and Baikonur Space Center prepare the Zenit-2SLB electrical test set-up in site 42.

February 17 - The Land Launch team finalizes Block DM-SLB upper stage preparations in the clean room and then integrates the upper composite (Telstar 11N satellite + Block DM-SLB) with the Zenit-3SLB lower stages. With rocket integration completed, a series of tests begins. Please visit this site for photo coverage of these operations:  http://www.federalspace.ru/NewsDoSele.asp?NEWSID=5447

February 18 - The Land Launch team completes assembly and testing of the Zenit-3SLB launch vehicle and prepares for rollout to the launch pad in advance of the launch of the Telstar 11N communications satellite.

February 24 - Following final preparations in the integration and test facility, the Land Launch team continues the pre-launch process with the rollout of the Zenit-3SLB vehicle to the launch pad and then erection to a vertical position on the pad. Operations are moving forward according to schedule. For photo coverage of these operations, please go to this site:  http://www.federalspace.ru/NewsDoSele.asp?NEWSID=5504

February 25 - Pre-Launch processing continues in support of the Telstar 11N launch on Feb. 26. With the countdown now underway, final tests of the Zenit-3SLB vehicle and the Telstar 11N spacecraft are performed and then telemetry data is assessed prior to launch day.

February 26 - MISSION SUCCESS!