Posted: Tue, Apr 28, 2009, 9:01 AM ET (1301 GMT)
Communications satellite operator Intelsat announced Monday that it is ordering a new satellite, one that will include a communications payload for the Australian military. Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems will build the Intelsat 22 satellite, a Boeing 702B model that will carry 48 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders. The spacecraft is scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2012 and will be located at 72 degrees east in GEO, serving customers in the Indian Ocean region. In addition to the regular communications payload, Intelsat announced that the spacecraft will carry a UHF payload under a $167-million contract with the Australian Defence Force, who will use it for military communications in the region.

Related Links:

•  Wall Street Journal article (subscription required)
•  The Australian article
•  Intelsat press release about satellite order
•  Intelsat press release about Australian contract