The Intelsat 904 communications satellite was successfully launched aboard an Ariane 44L launch vehicle at 1:59 am EST today.

The satellite is expected to be operational at the beginning of the second quarter of this year. The Intelsat 904 launch is expected to increase total customer capacity by up to 34 per cent by mid 2003, according to the broadcast, telephony and corporate network solutions company. The 904 satellite will be deployed at 60E over the Indian Ocean region and will offer Internet, broadcast, telephony and corporate network solutions to customers on its 76 C-band and 22 Ku-band transponders (measured in 36 MHz equivalent units). The satellite will provide high power Ku-band spot beam coverage for Europe and the Middle East and additional C-band capacity to customers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Intelsat claims to have a customer base in over 200 countries and territories.

According to the company, the Intelsat 604 currently holds the 60 E orbital slot, but will be moved to occupy one of Intelsat's new roles at 157E, expanding service to customers in the Pacific Ocean region. The next launch of an Intelsat IX series satellite will use a Proton K/Block DM launch vehicle from Russia. The launch site will be the Baikonur Cosmodrome, a release says.