Posted: Thu, Apr 24, 2003, 8:23 AM ET (1223 GMT)
A Proton successfully launched a Russian military satellite early Thursday. The Proton-K lifted off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan at 12:23 am EDT (0423 GMT) and placed into geostationary transfer orbit a satellite identified only as Kosmos 2397. The purpose of the satellite was not disclosed in Russian media reports, although some have speculated that it is an early-warning satellite. The launch is the first Proton launch of 2003. Another Proton is scheduled to lift off early Tuesday on a commercial flight, carrying the AMC-9 satellite for SES Americom.

Related Links:

•  RIA Novosti article
•  Interfax article
•  AFP article