Posted: Sun, Jun 2, 2019, 10:20 AM ET (1420 GMT)
A Proton successfully launched a Russian communications satellite Thursday. The Proton lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 1:42 pm EDT (1742 GMT), releasing the Yamal-601 satellite into its planned transfer orbit about nine hours later. Yamal-601, built by Thales Alenia Space for Russian operator Gazprom Space Systems, weighed about 5,400 kilograms at launch and carries C- and Ka-band transponders that will provide service to Russia and neighboring regions from 49 degrees east longitude in geostationary orbit. The launch was the first this year for the Proton; the next, of the Spektr-RG astronomy satellite, is scheduled for June 21.

Related Links:

•  Spaceflight Now article
•  Space.com article
•  NASASpaceFlight.com article
•  TASS article
•  ILS press release