The Intelsat New Dawn Satellite has lifted off successfully from Kourou, French Guiana at 5:37 p.m (EDT) on 22nd April 2011. The Ariane 5 vehicle separated successfully at 6:12 p.m. and a signal was acquired at 6:29 p.m.
The satellite has 28 C-band and 24 Ku-band 36 MHz transponder units. Utilising a geostationary orbital slot at 32.8º East, the Intelsat New Dawn Satellite will deliver an increased communications capacity throughout Africa.