Intelsat 33e, Second in the EpicNG Constellation, Starts Operation

Intelsat's Intelsat 33e satellite, the second in its EpicNG high-throughput constellation, started operation as of Sunday after completing its in-orbit testing, the company said in a news release Monday. Intelsat 33e was launched in August and operates from 60 degrees east, providing C-, Ka- and Ku-band broadband service to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean regions, it said. Three other EpicNG satellites -- Intelsat 32e, Intelsat 35e and Intelsat 37e -- are scheduled for launch this year, with Horizons 3e rounding out the constellation with its launch in 2018, it said.