International Launch Services (ILS) announces a Multi-Launch Agreement with Intelsat for five ILS Proton missions through 2023 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The Multi-Launch Agreement is designed to provide Intelsat with increased flexibility in their fleet management and the necessary launch schedule assurance that they require.

The five satellites, yet to be designated, will be launched using the Proton Breeze M launch vehicle, manufactured by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center (Khrunichev), the majority owner of ILS and one of the mainstays of the space industry.

Proton has launched 407 missions since its maiden flight in 1965. Under the auspices of ILS, there have been 91 ILS Proton missions launched for global commercial satellite operators.

Kirk Pysher, President of ILS said, "Intelsat and ILS have a long-standing partnership beginning with our first Intelsat launch over 18 years ago. Since that inaugural launch, Proton has successfully delivered 11 Intelsat satellites to orbit.

"With this Multi-Launch Agreement, we look forward to providing Intelsat with a flexible and reliable solution for expansion of their global fleet. We thank Intelsat for their continued trust and confidence in ILS, KhSC and the Proton Breeze M launch vehicle."

"Given the size of Intelsat's global fleet, we need assured and timely access to space, with launch providers that are committed partners with the ability to meet our high quality standards and schedule requirements," said Thierry Guillemin, Executive Vice President, and Chief Technology Officer of Intelsat.

"To that end, launch diversity is essential to the success of our sector. ILS and Khrunichev have committed to a path that will return them to the highest quality standards. Our agreement with ILS, which covers a span of seven years, will support our goal of improved access to space."