Russian Satellite Communications’ (RSCC) Express-AM7 telecommunications satellite has successfully lifted-off aboard International Launch Services’ Proton-M integrated launch vehicle (ILV) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The spacecraft and Breeze-M upper stage separated from the launch vehicle nine hours and 13 minutes after launch.
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The Express-AM7 satellite separated from the upper stage and injected to the target orbit. It will be transferred to the geostationary orbit.
Planned to be operated from 40°E orbit slot, the Express-AM7 is designed to provide communications and broadcasting services to Russia, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asian regions.
Built by Airbus Defence and Space, the satellite is based on Eurostar E3000 platform and has a mass of 5,700kg. It has design lifetime of 15 years.
The Express-AM7 communications payload features 62 active transponders, including 24 in C-band, 36 in Ku-band and two in L-band.
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By GlobalDataRSCC awarded two contracts to Airbus Defence and Space in March 2012 for Express AM4R and Express-AM7 satellites.
The launch marks Proton’s second launch this year and 403rd in its history.
The heavy-lift vehicle is designed and manufactured by Khrunichev Space Center for transporting government and commercial payloads to low-earth and escape orbits.
Proton-M using Breeze-M as the upper stage is said to deliver more than 6MT payloads to geo-stationary orbits.
Image: Proton-M integrated launch vehicle lift-off Express-??7 telecommunications satellite. Photo: courtesy of Roscosmos.
