The Lockheed-built American communications satellite PAN, which was launched on 8 September 2009 is performing as expected, the company has announced.

PAN was launched by United Launch Alliance using an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The spacecraft consists of a novel and robust turnkey commercial-based satellite, ground and launch system solution developed to meet the government’s future needs.

Based on Lockheed Martin’s configure-to-order A2100 spacecraft series the PAN satellite provides commercial space technologies and delivers high-quality, low-cost solutions with reduced cycle times for government customers.