ICO Global Communications has signed a Launch Services and Dual Launch Study Agreement with ILS International Launch Services (ILS). With this contract, ICO has established a Proton launch services agreement for up to five launches in the 2009 through 2011 timeframe. In addition, ILS will design and propose a dual launch capability for ICO's Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites.

Bob Day, ICO's Senior Vice President, Space Systems, commented, "ILS is well-known for their reliability, and with the lift capacity of the Proton Breeze M launch vehicle, ICO looks forward to the cost effective launch of ICO's Boeing satellites or those of another satellite vendor. Our goal, of course, is to add satellites to our existing ICO MEO constellation in a timely and economic manner."

"ILS successfully placed the first satellite in orbit for ICO in 2001," said Frank McKenna, President of International Launch Services. "We are very pleased to continue our direct support of ICO in this exciting next chapter of their business."