spacetoday.net: Proton launches Arabsat satellite

Posted: Thu, Nov 9, 2006, 8:26 AM ET (1326 GMT)
Proton launch of BADR-4 (ILS)

A Proton rocket launched an Arabsat communications satellite early Thursday, the first launch for the Proton since its commercial marketer changed owners. The Proton M lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 3:01 pm EST Wednesday (2001 GMT Wednesday, 2:01 am Thursday local time) and placed the BADR-4 (formerly Arabsat 4B) satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit about four hours later. The spacecraft, an EADS Astrium Eurostar E2000+ model, weighs 3,280 kg and carries 32 Ku-band transponders, which will provide TV and data services for Arab countries and neighboring regions from 26 degrees east in GEO. The launch was the first since Lockheed Martin sold its majority stake in International Launch Services (ILS) in September to Space Transport, Inc. ILS, which formerly sold both the Atlas and Proton rockets, now exclusively sells Proton launches.