The International Launch Services Proton rocket has successfully carried the Nimiq 5 satellite into orbit for the satellite operator, Telesat.

Nimiq 5 is a direct broadcast satellite designed to provide a variety of high-definition and specialty direct-to-home television services in North America for its life span of 15 years.

The Space Systems / Loral-built spacecraft is based on SS/L 1300 platform and has 32 high-power Ku-band transponders to support a broad range of applications and technology advances.

The Proton Breeze M launch vehicle that carried the 5-ton satellite was developed and built by Khrunichev Research and Production Space Centre.

Nimiq 5 was placed into its orbit at 72.7° west after 9 hours and 15 minutes of the Proton’s lift-off.