U.S. communications satellite launched from Baikonur - Roscosmos
08:57, 20 October 2011
SCOW. October 19. KAZINFORM A Proton-M carrier rocket carrying the U.S. ViaSat-1 communications satellite was launched from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan, Russia's Roscosmos space agency said on Wednesday; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
"The Proton-M rocket was launched according to schedule. The satellite will separate from the carrier rocket on Thursday at 7:48 a.m. Moscow time [03:48 GMT]," Roscosmos said.
ViaSat in January said the satellite launch would be delayed for several months due to a fault during a test on the satellite. The launch was originally scheduled for mid-May.
ViaSat-1 weighs six tons and should operate for 15 years at a geostationary orbit; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.
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