Posted: Sat, May 21, 2011, 9:27 AM ET (1327 GMT)
A Proton rocket successfully launched an American commercial communications satellite early Saturday. The Proton M lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 3:15 pm EDT Friday (1915 GMT Friday, 1:15 am local time Saturday) and inserted the Telstar 14R satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit nine hours and 13 minutes later. The satellite, also known as Estrela do Sul 2, is a Space Systems/Loral 1300-series spacecraft, weighing about 5,000 kilograms at launch with a payload of 46 Ku-band transponders. Satellite owner Telesat will use the spacecraft at 63 degrees west in GEO to provide communications services in North and South America. The launch was the first commercial Proton mission of 2011.

Related Links:

•  RIA Novosti article
•  Itar-Tass article
•  Spaceflight Now article
•  NASASpaceFlight.com article
•  ILS press release