Posted: Mon, Nov 24, 2003, 1:32 PM ET (1832 GMT)
A Russian Proton rocket launched two domestic communications satellites early Monday. The Proton K booster lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 1:22 am EST (0622 GMT), carrying the Yamal 201 and 202 communications satellites into geosynchronous orbit. The satellites will be used by the Russian company Gazkom to transfer information about oil rigs and pipelines. One satellite will provide coverage for Russia and neighboring countries, while the other will serve portions of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The launch was the third this year for the Proton booster, with two more Proton launches, both of the Proton K variant, planned for the remainder of this year.

Related Links:

•  Itar-Tass article
•  RIA Novosti article