Space Systems/Loral, LLC reports that the Intelsat 34 satellite, designed and built for Intelsat S.A (NYSE: I), has arrived at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, where it will be launched aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle by Arianespace. Intelsat 34 is the 50th satellite that SSL has provided to Intelsat.

"Intelsat and SSL have a close working relationship based on many years of experience and a mutual commitment to quality, reliability and customer service," said John Celli, president of SSL. "Our 50th satellite together is a significant milestone and we are happy that it is has safely arrived at launch base. Now our teams are working together with Arianespace to prepare the satellite for next month's launch."

Intelsat 34 is designed to provide capacity to meet the growing needs of Latin American media customers, and broadband connectivity for maritime and aeronautical companies serving the North Atlantic. When launched, it will replace Intelsat 805 and Galaxy 11 at 304.5?E.

"SSL has been an important manufacturing partner of Intelsat for more than 35 years and has designed and delivered nearly half of the satellites in the Intelsat fleet," said Thierry Guillemin, EVP and chief technology officer of Intelsat. "We look forward to the launch next month and to providing expanded coverage in Latin America and the North Atlantic with Intelsat 34."

Intelsat 34 is based on the powerful SSL 1300 platform, which has the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances, including electric propulsion. The satellite uses SSL's heritage electric propulsion system, the SPT-100, which is actively in use on 17 satellites with more than 40,000 hours of successful on orbit operation.