Today's Russian Federal Space Agency Update
Baikonur: Proton-M/Echostar-15 Prelaunch Processing
:: 24.06.2010
Proton-M/Breeze-M/EchoStar-15 prelaunch processing continues at Baikonur. The satellite built by US Space Systems Loral (???) will be operated by EchoStar Orbital Corporation.
SSL engineers perform EchoStar-15 autonomous tests today. Khrunichev experts go on with Proton verifications.
Proton is to loft EchoStar-15 in July, marking the 7th launch of Proton this year. Proton has already orbited Echostar payload in March, 2010. 6.3t-Echostar-14 became the heaviest satellite launched by Proton.
Proton launch services are contracted by International Launch Services Inc. (
www.ilslaunch.com).
Khrunichev, which is one of the cornerstones of the Russian space industry, holds the majority interest in ILS. Khrunichev manufactures the Proton system and is developing the Angara launch system.
Roscosmos and Khrunichev Space Center PAO