New date announced for launch of third Inmarsat-4 satellite 01-07-2008 A new date for the launch of the third Inmarsat-4 satellite has been scheduled for launch on board a Proton rocket on 14 August (13 August UTC). The launch will take place from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and if successful will complete the global constellation of Inmarsat-4 spacecraft providing mobile satellite services to users all over the world. Weighing 6 metric tonnes at launch, the Inmarsat-4 F3, built by EADS Astrium, will be lofted into space on a Proton Breeze-M rocket operated by International Launch Services (ILS). Preparations begin The satellite is being shipped to Baikonur early in July for a six-weeks of pre- launch preparations. This is the first ILS mission since the upper stage of a Proton Breeze-M suffered a failure during the AMC-14 satellite launch in March. The Proton Breeze-M is now ready to return to flight after a Russian State Commission and an ILS-led independent Failure Review panel concluded its enquiries into the incident and corrective actions were taken. Appropriate actions Gene Jilg, chief technology officer for Inmarsat, said: "Having participated in the Failure Review process in its entirety, I am satisfied that appropriate actions have been taken to deal with recent failures and to reassess the quality of the Proton vehicle. "Inmarsat now expects to transport the satellite to the launch site and complete certain other formalities in sufficient time to target the launch date we have announced." Frank McKenna, ILS president, said: "We thank Inmarsat for its support and patience. We know how important this satellite is for the continued success of Inmarsat's growing broadband services, and we look forward to the start of the campaign in coming days."