McLean, VA, 08-APR-04 -- Media Advisory - ILS To Launch Superbird-6 Satellite On Atlas

Payload: Superbird-6
Boeing 601 platform
Separated mass: Approx. 6,834 lbs (3,100 kg)

Launch Vehicle: Atlas IIAS, designated AC-163
Weight at liftoff: 523,071 lbs (237,261 kg), including payload
Fairing: 14 ft (4.2 m) diameter aluminum
Height: 155.5 ft (47.4 m)

Launch Date: Thursday, April 15, 2004 (U.S.)
Friday, April 16, 2004 (GMT & Tokyo)

Launch Window: 33 minutes
8:45-9:18 p.m. EDT
00:45-01:18 GMT
9:45-10:18 a.m. Tokyo

Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Complex 36, Pad A

Launch Customer: Space Communications Corp., Tokyo, Japan

Satellite Manufacturer: Boeing Satellite Systems, El Segundo, Calif.

Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Atlas vehicle and Centaur upper stage built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver, Colo.; San Diego, Calif.; and Harlingen, Texas

Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services, McLean, Va.

Satellite Use: Business communications throughout Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Korea and Hawaii.

Satellite Statistics: -- Boeing 601 model
-- 26th Atlas launch of a 601 bus
-- 23 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band channels
-- Orbital location: 158 degrees East
-- 13 years mission life

Mission Profile: Standard Atlas IIAS ascent profile, with a two-burn Centaur mission using a supersynchronous mission design, in-flight retargeting and minimum residual shutdown. Satellite's own attitude and orbital control system will perform a series of burns to circularize orbit and reduce inclination.

Spacecraft Separation: 30 minutes after liftoff

Orbital Parameters: Apogee Altitude: 65,138 nm (120,635 km)
(@ Separation) Perigee Altitude: 90 nm (167 km)
Inclination: 25.5 deg

ILS Mission Statistics: -- 4th ILS mission this year
-- 28th Atlas IIAS vehicle
-- Atlas family has perfect record in 70 consecutive flights

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NEWS MEDIA ACTIVITIES
All times are EDT

Pre-launch Briefing: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 15
Radisson Resort
Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Remote Camera Set-up: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 15. Accredited photographers should meet at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Pass & ID for escort to Complex 36.

Launch Viewing: News media covering the launch should meet at the CCAFS Pass & I.D. at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, April 15, for badging and Air Force escort to Press Site 1.

Live Broadcast: Galaxy 3C, 95 degrees West
transponder 22 C-band analog
downlink 4140 MHz, vertical.
Test signals begin at 7:45 p.m.; program at 8:15 p.m.
Broadcast also will be webcast at www.ilslaunch.com

More Information: General mission information and launch highlights will be available on the ILS web site at www.ilslaunch.com. Launch status updates will be available on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.