McLean, Va., 08-MAR-04 --

Media Advisory
ILS To Launch MBSAT
On Atlas III

Payload: MBSAT
Space Systems/Loral 1300 platform
Separated mass: Approx. 9,133 lbs (4,143 kg)

Launch Vehicle: Atlas III, designated AC-202
Weight at liftoff: 484,383 lbs (219,712 kg), including payload
Fairing: 14 ft (4.2 m) diameter aluminum
Height: 170.2 ft (51.9 m)

Launch Date: Friday, March 12, 2004

Launch Window: 90 minutes
00:41-02:11 a.m. EST
05:41-07:11 GMT
14:41-16:11 Tokyo & Seoul

Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Fla.
Launch Complex 36B

Customer and Satellite Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral (SS/L)
Palo Alto, Calif.

End Users: Mobile Broadcasting Corp. (MBCO), Tokyo, Japan;
SK Telecom (SKT), Seoul, Korea

Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Denver, Colo.

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

Satellite Use: MBSAT will deliver digital multimedia information services such as CD-quality audio, MPEG-4 video and data to mobile users throughout Japan and Korea.

Satellite Statistics: -- SS/L 1300 model satellite bus
-- Ku-band uplink and Ku- and S-band downlinks
-- 144 degrees East longitude operating position

Mission Profile: This mission will use a parking orbit ascent trajectory design with two Centaur burn phases. The vehicle will use both in-flight retargeting and minimum residual shutdown to inject the satellite into the best transfer orbit possible. The satellite's own attitude and orbital control system will perform a series of burns to raise perigee to geosynchronous altitude and reduce inclination.

Spacecraft Separation: About 29 minutes after liftoff

Orbital Parameters: Apogee Altitude: 17,755-19,408 nm (32,883-35,944 km)
(@ Separation) Perigee Altitude: 98 nm (182 km)
Inclination: 23.43-26.6 deg
Flight Azimuth: 97.5 deg

ILS Mission Statistics: -- 2nd Atlas launch in 2004
-- 2nd ILS launch of the year
-- 21st ILS launch of SS/L-built satellite
-- 5th flight of Atlas III series
-- Atlas family has perfect record in 69 consecutive flights

NEWS MEDIA ACTIVITIES
All times are EST unless otherwise indicated

Media Briefing: Pre-launch news conference at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, at the Radisson Resort in Cape Canaveral.

Remote Camera Set-up: Photographers should meet at 3 p.m., Thursday, March 11, at CCAFS Pass & ID Building for escort to Pad 36.

Launch Viewing: Accredited press covering the launch should meet at the CCAFS Pass & ID Building at 11 p.m. Thursday, March 11, for Air Force escort to Press Site 1.

Live Broadcast: Launch program will be carried in the U.S. on Galaxy 3, transponder 4, C-band, 95 degrees West, downlink frequency 3780 MHz (vetical). Test signals begin about 11:30 p.m. EST.

More Information: General mission information and a live webcast of the launch will be available on the ILS website at www.ilslaunch.com. Launch status updates will be available on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.