Posted: Fri, Oct 15, 2004, 9:13 AM ET (1313 GMT)
A Russian Proton rocket successfully launched a communications satellite for SES Americom early Friday. The Proton-M lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 5:23 pm EDT Thursday (2123 GMT Thursday, 3:23 am Friday local time). It's payload, the AMC-15 satellite, separated from the Proton's Briz upper stage nearly seven hours later. AMC-15 is a Lockheed Martin A2100 satellite that will operate from 105 degrees west longitude. The spacecraft carries 24 Ku-band transponders as well as a Ka-band payload designed to provide direct-to-home video and broadband services to consumers. The launch is the fourth commercial mission for the Proton M this year, and the sixth Proton launch overall in 2004.

Related Links:

•  Spaceflight Now article
•  SPACE.com article
•  RIA Novosti article
•  ILS press release
•  SES Americom press release