Proton returns to flight, launches Mexican satellite
Posted: Wed, Mar 27, 2013, 7:26 AM ET (1126 GMT)
The Proton rocket returned to flight early Wednesday with the successful launch of a Mexican satellite. The Proton M lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 3:07 pm EDT Tuesday (1907 GMT Tuesday, 1:07 am local time Wednesday) carrying the Satmex 8 satellite. The rocket's Breeze M upper stage released the satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit nine hours and 13 minutes after liftoff. Satmex 8, a Space Systems/Loral 1300 model spacecraft, weighed 5,474 kilograms at launch and carries a payload of 24 C-band and 40 Ku-band transponders. Mexican satellite operator Satmex will use the spacecraft at 116.8 degrees west in GEO, replacing the existing Satmex 5 satellite. The launch was the first for the Proton since a December mission that placed a communications satellite into a lower-than-planned orbit when the upper stage shut down prematurely.
The Proton rocket returned to flight early Wednesday with the successful launch of a Mexican satellite. The Proton M lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 3:07 pm EDT Tuesday (1907 GMT Tuesday, 1:07 am local time Wednesday) carrying the Satmex 8 satellite. The rocket's Breeze M upper stage released the satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit nine hours and 13 minutes after liftoff. Satmex 8, a Space Systems/Loral 1300 model spacecraft, weighed 5,474 kilograms at launch and carries a payload of 24 C-band and 40 Ku-band transponders. Mexican satellite operator Satmex will use the spacecraft at 116.8 degrees west in GEO, replacing the existing Satmex 5 satellite. The launch was the first for the Proton since a December mission that placed a communications satellite into a lower-than-planned orbit when the upper stage shut down prematurely.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, September 1
OHB Secures €1 Billion Deal For 18 IRIS² MEO Satellites
Aviation Week — 5:55 am ET (0955 GMT) OHB to Build 18 MEO Satellites for IRIS² in Nearly €1B Award
ViaSatellite — 5:55 am ET (0955 GMT) NDIA SWF: USSPACECOM leaders emphasize allied and commercial integration as critical to countering space threats
US Space Command — 5:53 am ET (0953 GMT) Northwood Space Expands California-Based Manufacturing Footprint
Aviation Week — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, Space Force general visit L3Harris to see Golden Dome work
Greater Fort Wayne (IN) Business Weekly — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) |
