| Operator | Intelsat |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 2008-024A |
| SATCATno. | 32951 |
| Mission duration | 15 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | LS-1300 |
| Manufacturer | Space Systems/Loral |
| Launch mass | 4,642 kilograms (10,234 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | May 21, 2008, 09:43:22 (2008-05-21UTC09:43:22Z) UTC |
| Rocket | Zenit-3SL |
| Launch site | Odyssey |
| Contractor | Sea Launch |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 123° West (0°N123°W / 0°N 123°W /0; -123) |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 24IEEEC band 24IEEEKu band |
| Coverage area | United States, Canada, Mexico |
Galaxy 18 is aSpace Systems/Loral (SS/L) 1300-series hybridcommunications satellite owned byIntelsat and located ingeosynchronous orbit at 123° Wlongitude, serving the continental United States,Alaska,Hawaii, Mexico, and Canada with 24C band, and 24Ku bandtransponders. Galaxy 18 replacedGalaxy 10R near the end of its design life.[1]
Galaxy 18 was launched on May 21, 2008. The launch took place successfully at 09:43GMT.[2]
Galaxy 18 is the home of a number of minor television networks, and in the past hosted the stations ofEquity Media Holdings before its 2009 bankruptcy, where it used the satellite to beam several major network affiliates to their appropriate local transmitters, along with the local cable providers carrying them as Equity hubbed theirmaster control from ahub inLittle Rock, Arkansas.