Posted: Tue, Apr 27, 2004, 12:31 PM ET (1631 GMT)
A Proton rocket launched a Russian domestic communications satellite early Tuesday. The Proton K lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 4:37 pm EDT Monday (2037 GMT Monday, 12:37 am Moscow time Tuesday) and placed the Express-AM11 satellite into geosynchronous orbit six and a half hours later. The satellite was built by Russian firm NPO PM, although Alcatel provided the spacecraft's payload of 26 C-band and 4 Ku-band transponders. Express-AM11 will provide services from 96.5 degrees east longitude. The satellite is the second in a five-satellite fleet being deployed by the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) through the end of 2005.

Related Links:

•  AFP article
•  Itar-Tass article
•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  Spaceflight Now article
•  RSCC press release