A Proton rocket has successfully launched the Express AM44 and Express MD1 communications satellites from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 00:03 GMT Wednesday (3:03 a.m. msk). The satellites entered orbit at 09:29 GMT. The 2,500 kilogram Express AM44 satellite, built by ISS Reshetnev, will replace the Express-A3 satellite and operate in a geostationary orbit at 11 degrees west. The 1,100 kilogram Express MD1 satellite, built by Khrunichev, with a Thales Alenia payload, weighed about at launch and will operate at the 80 degrees east orbital position.
A Proton-M rocket carrying two Russian satellites blasted off from the Baikonur space site, in Kazakhstan minutes ago. Read more
A Russian Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage is to launch the Express AM44 and Express MD1 tele-communications from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on the 11th February, 2009, at 00: 30 GMT (03:30 msk).
The Express-AM44 and Express-MD1 communications satellites atop a Proton-M carrier rocket are to be launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on February 11, 2009. The Express-AM44 is to replace the aging Express-A3 satellite, which has reached the end of its service life and occupy the 11° West orbital slot. The Express-MD1 satellite will occupy the 80° East orbital position.
The Express-AM44 satellite is manufactured by Information Satellite Systems - Reshetnev Company (Russia) in cooperation with Thales Alenia Space (France) on RSCC' order. The satellite will carry 10 C-band (40 MHz) transponders, 16 Ku-band (54 MHz) transponders, and 1 L-band (1 MHz) transponder with improved power characteristics. Its in-orbit operational life time is 10 years, the station keeping accuracy is ±0.05 N&S/W&E. The satellite is equipped with steerable antennas. The Express-MD1 satellite is manufactured by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center (Russia) in cooperation with Thales Alenia Space (Italy) on RSCC' order. The satellite will be equipped with 8 C-band (40 MHz) transponders and 1 L-band (0,5 MHz) transponder. Its in-orbit operational life time is 10 years, the station keeping accuracy is ±0.05 N&S/W&E. Source