Posted: Tue, Jun 15, 2004, 11:12 PM ET (0312 GMT)
The Proton launch of a commercial communications satellite has been delayed 24 hours because of a minor issue with the satellite. The Proton M was scheduled to lift off in the early morning hours of June 16 and place the Intelsat 10-02 satellite into orbit. However, launch officials decided Tuesday to postpone the launch 24 hours to allow more time to charge the batteries on the satellite. The satellite, a Eurostar E3000 built by EADS Astrium, is one of the largest commercial GEO satellites ever built, with a launch mass of over 5,500 kg. The satellite carries 36 Ku-band and 70 C-band transponders and will operate from 1 degree west longitude. The launch will be the second commercial Proton launch of 2004, and the fourth Proton launch overall this year.
