BEIJING, Nov. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- A new Swedish telecommunications satellite Sirius 4 reached successfully its final geostationary obit 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth Saturday, media reported Monday.

Built by Lockheed Martin for the Solna, the Sweden-based communications provider SES Sirius, the Sirius 4 satellite will provide direct-to-home television and other services to customers across Europe, Africa and the Baltic/Nordic region.

Weighing in at 9,667 pounds (4,385 kilograms), the Sirius 4 satellite carries 53 active Ku-band transponders, two active KA-band transponders and designed for a 15-year service lifetime. The McLean, Va.-based launch service provider International Launch Services (ILS) oversaw the satellite's Saturday launch.

Sirius 4's liftoff marked ILS' fourth Proton launch of the year and its 43rd mission using the Russian-built booster. It also marked the second successful Proton flight since a faulty cable foiled the launch of a Japanese satellite on Sept. 5.

"We are very proud and satisfied that the Sirius 4 mission has been a success," said Hakan Sjodin, managing director of SES Sirius, in a statement. "Sirius 4 will benefit our customers and extend our coverage and service in Eastern Europe."

"This was an especially important mission for ILS and our customer, SES SIRIUS," said ILS president Frank McKenna in a statement. "ILS and our partner, Khrunichev, continue to focus on performance and on our long-term relationship with the SES group of companies."

The successful launch marked the 329th flight of a Proton rocket.

(Agencies)