spacetoday.net: Russia launches communications satellite

Posted: Wed, Mar 30, 2005, 8:13 AM ET (1313 GMT)
Proton K launch of Express-AM2 (RSCC)

A Proton rocket successfully launched a domestic Russian communications satellite early Wednesday. The Proton K lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome at 5:31 pm EST Tuesday (2231 GMT Tuesday, 1:31 am Moscow time Wednesday) and placed its payload, Express-AM2, into its designated orbit six and a half hours later. The satellite, built by Russian manufacturer NPO PM with a communications payload provided by Alcatel, will be located in geostationary orbit at 80 degrees east, providing a variety of communications services for Russia and portions of southern and eastern Asia. The satellite carries 16 C-band, 12 Ku-band, and one L-band transponders. The satellite is the fourth of a series of five next-generation spacecraft operated by the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC); the fifth, Express-AM3, is scheduled for launch in June.